Titles: WBA featherweight champion 1985-1986
Record: 32-3
Born: February 28, in Clones, Ireland
Years active: 1981-1989
Nickname: The Clones Cyclone
Barry McGuigan was more than just a boxer for the people of Ireland, he was a
uniting force in a time of heavy tensions and fighting between Ireland's
Catholics and protestants. Their slogan was "Let Barry do the fighting." Barry
was one of the few boxers who was known to non-sports as well as hard core
boxing fans the world over. McGuigan a Catholic showed the people of Ireland
that they could live as one, since he was married to a protestant woman. Quite
simply Barry represented both Northern and Southern Ireland, and it was said he
could have been voted president of Ireland if only he had thrown his hat in
that ring. McGuigan was solely responsible for the return of Ireland's King's
Hall in Belfast which had been closed for 20 years. But Barry also boxed well
to earn a place here and in 1985 was thought of as one of the best pound for
pound boxers in the world. His was not a long or distinguished reign to be
sure, but it did leave a lasting impression. His fights were exciting brawls in
which McGuigan would force his style and will on his foes. Maybe I list him
because it seemed he could have done so much more? Like others in boxing
contractual problems seemed to zap McGuigan of his love for the sport. McGuigan
was a pressure fighter who seemed as if he had crown up in Mexico instead of
Ireland where the stand up boxing style was preferred. Barry would drive
forward mixing head and body blows while forcing opponents into a corner with
great footwork that seemed to cut of the ring almost instinctively. Once he had
his opponents on the ropes he would rip off hard accurate shots to the body and
head. McGuigan (one of 8 children) was mentored by his father who first allowed
him to box at age 13 where he quickly showed the talent and work ethic to set
him apart from the other boys. It was said Barry got his strength by carrying
50 pound bags of potatoes with either hand in the family owned Grocery store. A
great amateur career was highlighted by a Gold medal at the commonwealth games
in 1978 among his many Irish amateur boxing awards. Barry had a disappointing
ending to his amateur career when he was surprisingly beaten at the Moscow
Olympics by Zambian Winfred Kabunda. But everyone saw that his pressuring style
and bodywork was made more for the pro game. Turning pro in 1981 at the age of
20 he faced a boxer with 58 pro bouts (losing 32) but still put him out in 2
rounds. Barry was not immediately successful however and suffered a defeat in
his third fight to Peter Eewbanks by a half a point (even after he dropped his
opponent) on the referee's scorecard. Barry credited the loss for motivating
him more and no longer relying on his natural talents alone. It must be the
truth since he rattled off 11 straight wins on his way to a British
featherweight title and he would not loose for another 5 years. In a horrible
event before his British title win, McGuigan knocked out opponent Young Ali a
solid Nigerian who lay in a coma for 5 months before dying. Barry after a bout
with depression and much soul searching decided to go on boxing. In 1983
McGuigan won the British title in easy and impressive fashion knocking out
Vernon Penprase in two rounds for the vacant title in Belfast. In the same year
McGuigan made his first venture to the United States beating Lavon McGowan in
Chicago in a impressive first round knockout. Within two months of beating
Penprase for the British title Barry would be in the ring fighting for European
honors. Against Italian Valerio Nati he showed dominating power and speed to
overwhelm him and win the vacant European featherweight title. In the fight
Nati suffered 3 cracked ribs. McGuigan retained the title three times knocking
all challengers out before the 6th round. McGuigan was a very hot property,
people were clamoring for him to fight for a world title against either Azumah
Nelson or Eusebio Pedroza. McGuigan ended up getting his shot against the
reigning 7 year champ Pedroza who was making the 20th defense of his title!
But before the title shot Barry fought for 2 years against better than average
boxers. He knocked all 9 of his opponents out in this run except for the classy
Juan LaPorte. Dominican Jose Caba was the best win of 1984 for Barry. It was a
move up in competition level but Barry showed after a slow start that he was
just physically too dominant for most featherweights. 1985 was the watershed
year for Barry. It started with a tough bout few thought he should take against
former champion Juan Laporte, but McGuigan wanted to prove he belonged in the
worlds elite. It was not easy to be sure and McGuigan was in deep trouble in
the fifth round having to hold on to get out of the round. The rounds were
close but McGuigan had the higher work rate and won 6 rounds on the referees
scorecards. The only negative from the fight was that it broke Barry's 18 fight
knock out streak. When he finally fought Pedroza it was not in his native
Ireland as he had hoped, but he did manage to bring Pedroza to London which was
also steadfast behind the popular McGuigan. The fight with Pedroza was much
anticipated by the 25,000 at the venue and made McGuigan famous around the
world. Perhaps that is why he did not pull out of the fight when he injured his
left arm the week before the fight. Still McGuigan opened strong but the fight
was close until Barry had Pedroza in deep trouble in the 7th round. From there
Barry took the champion out of his fight plan by backing him up with solid body
blows. Pedroza was rocked again by a hook in the 13th but his experience helped
him escape. McGuigan in the last two rounds rode his pressure fighting style to
a lopsided decision win on all three scorecards. The rounds were never one
sided with good two way action but Barry proved to fit and strong for the
veteran. After the fight Barry dedicated the victory to Young Ali, whose death
Barry said he tought about every day. Barry returned to 100,000 thousand people
lining the roads to welcome him home. McGuigan desperately wanted to reward his
title in Ireland and in his first defense he did so against tough and unbeaten
American Bernard Taylor in Belfast's King's Hall. Unlike his title win Barry
started this fight slow and Taylor's handpeed had him winning the first 4
rounds with ease. But the persistent body work would slowly pay off as McGuigan
took charge from the 6th round on and ended the fight in the 8th. A second
defense of the title was also tougher than thought as Danilo Cabrera took
McGuigan in the 14th before wilting under the pressure. McGuigan signed to
fight Fernando Sosa for his American debut in Las Vegas. The opponent fell out
and little known Stevie Cruz was announced as his replacement. The preparation
was said to be sloppy for the fight as managerial and ear problems kept McGuire
out of camp for stretches. Another problem for the European McGuigan was the
fight time temperature as he was not acclimated and suffered dehydration during
the bout held in 110 degree (46 C) heat. Knowing he would need a quick finish
McGuigan (a 5-1 favorite) came out fast looking for the early knockout which
did not happen. As the fight dragged on it was plain to see that Cruz was
getting stronger and the better of the action. The fight was still even and up
for grabs entering the 10th round. From there Cruz took over (dropping Barry in
the 10th) and McGuigan not used to fighting while backing up was in trouble. In
the last round which decided the fight McGuigan could be heard to tell his
cornermen "Say a prayer for me" as he walked back into the action. Barry was
cut on both eyes, dropped 2 times in the 15th but still refused to be counted
out. In the final tally Barry lost his title by only a 1 point margin on two of
the scorecards. After losing the title things got worse for Barry as law suits
began to hit him about his contract with manager Barney Eastwood. McGuigan
would be out of the ring for 2 years fighting the various court cases instead
of boxers. McGuigan was so upset with his former manager that he was
instrumental in unionizing boxers in England. Finally Barry made his comeback
at super featherweight in 1988 and scored 3 successive knockouts. While he did
win, he was not nearly the same boxer that won the title from Pedroza. Maybe
the death of his father (around this time) also played a role in his
emotionless wins? After losing to Jim McDonnell on a cut eye the ever smart
McGuigan who constantly studied films of himself and others saw what others did
and retired. Much like tennis star of the time John McEnroe, Barry could not
overcome 2 years of inactivity. At age 28 Barry retired. McGuigan (after trying
his hand at race driving) now does color commentary for boxing events on
British TV and Personal appearances. McGuigan also does a lot of charity work
in England and Ireland.
Barry McGuigan
Career Record: 32 W, 3 L (28 K.O's)
1981
May 10 Selwyn Bell Dublin KO 2
Jun 20 Gary Lucas Wembley, England KO 4
Aug 3 Peter Eubanks Brighton, England L 8
Sep 22 Jean-Marc Renard Belfast W 8
Oct 27 Terry Pizzarro Belfast KO 4
Dec 8 Peter Eubanks Belfast KO 8
1982
Jan 27 Luis De La Sagra Belfast W 8
Feb 8 Ian Murray Mayfair, England KO 3
Feb 23 Angel Olivar Belfast KO 3
Mar 23 Angelo Licata Belfast KO 2
Apr 22 Gary Lucas Enniskillen, N. Ireland KO 1
Jun 14 Young Ali Mayfair, England KO 6
Oct 5 Jimmy Duncan Belfast KO 4
Nov 9 Paul Huggins Belfast KO 5
1983
Apr 12 Vernon Penprase Belfast KO 2
May 22 Samuel Meck Navan, Ontario KO 6
Jul 9 Lavon McGowan Chicago KO 1
Oct 5 Ruben Herasme Belfast KO 2
Nov 16 Valerio Nati Belfast KO 6
1984
Jan 25 Charm Chiteule Belfast KO 10
Apr 4 Jose Caba Belfast KO 7
Jun 5 Esteban Eguia Kensington, England KO 3
Jun 30 Paul DeVorce Belfast KO 5
Oct 13 Felipe Orozco Belfast KO 2
Dec 19 Clyde Ruan Belfast KO 4
1985
Feb 23 Juan Laporte Belfast W 10
Mar 26 Farid Gallouze Wembley, England KO 2
Jun 8 Eusebio Pedroza London W 15
(Wins WBA and World Featherweight Titles)
Sep 28 Bernard Taylor Belfast KO 9
(Retains World Featherweight Title)
1986
Feb 15 Danilo Cabrera Dublin KO 14
(Retains World Featherweight Title)
Jun 23 Steve Cruz Las Vegas L 15
(Loses World Featherweight Title)
1988
Apr 20 Nick Perez Muswell Hill, England KO 4
Jun 25 Francisco Tomas Da Cruz Luton, England KO 4
Dec 1 Julio Miranda Edmonton KO 8
1989
May 31 Jim McDonnell Manchester, England KO by 4
