BARRY
McGUIGAN
Finbarr Patrick
McGuigan's
first fight
was at the
age of twelve
and from there,
as an amateur,
he went on
to fight more
than 120 times,
winning a
Commonwealth
Gold in 1978.
In 1980, Barry
decided to
turn professional
as a featherweight,
but June 1982
nearly resulted
in him quitting
the ring when
he knocked
out Young
Ali, who went
into a coma
and died five
months later.
Became British
and European
Champion in
1983, in an
emotion-packed
fight against
Eusebio Pedroza,
Barry added
the WBA Featherweight
title to his
collection.
Over 20 million
viewers, the
biggest ever
audience for
a sporting
event, watched
Barry, who
dedicated
this win to
Young Ali.
Two successful
defences of
that title,
but his defence
against Steve
Cruz was probably
the hardest.
In a blistering
110 degrees,
Barry lost
on points
after taking
three counts
in the final
round.
He had made
a successful
comeback in
April 1988
against Nicky
Perez, but
in that fight
and his final
fight against
Jim McDonnell,
Barry was
becoming susceptible
to cuts and
so retired.
1987-90 Barry
was largely
responsible
in founding
the Professional
Boxers Association
(PBA)
Between 1986-88,
Barry almost
completed
a successful
full season
in motor racing.
This sport,
together with
his passion
for golf,
continues
to provide
excitement
in his post-boxing
career, which
now encompasses
television
commentating,
presentation,
appearances
and after
dinner speaking.
Today his
main occupation
is being a
sports correspondent
for both the
television
channel, Sky
Sports and
maxboxing.com.
Always looking
for new challenges
Barry has
also tried
his hand at
acting (starring
in the movie
“Malicious
Intent”
in 2000) and
in music,
playing with
his band which
includes the
renowned Irish
actor, Adrian
Dunbarr.
CAREER
ACHIEVEMENTS:-
WBA Featherweight
Champion 1985-86
Undefeated
European Featherweight
Champion
Undefeated
British Featherweight
Champion
Irish International,
European and
Junior Bronze
1980
Commonwealth
Gold Medal
Holder (Amateur)
1978
Irish Bantamweight
Champion (Amateur)
1978
Irish Juvenile
Youth and
Senior Title
Holder (Amateur)
1977
BBC "Sportsman
of the Year",
BBC "Fighter
of the Year"
and "Sportswriters
Award 1985
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