Barry McGuigan

Also known as the ‘The Clones Cyclone’, Barry was born just across the border in the Republic of Ireland but fought as a British boxer and became a sporting hero to the people of Northern Ireland. He started boxing at an early age and won the All-Ireland Amateur championship in 1976. He won international fame as an amateur with his gold medal at the Commonwealth Games of 1978. He fought as a featherweight after turning professional and won the WBA Championship in 1985, beating Eusebio Pedroza before 25,000 people at the Queen’s Park Rangers football stadium. Over 20 million watched it on television. His triumphant return to Belfast, where he fought many of his bouts, was one of the city’s greatest sporting moments.

I won my first Ulster Senior Title at the Ulster Hall, which was built in 1862. I won the British Title there in April 1983, defended the British and European Titles there in December 1984, and really built up my following as a professional in that beautiful old hall. I loved boxing there because it was so atmospheric and because of its long narrow shape and where the ring was placed, it almost felt like the fans in the balcony were in the ring with me.

The King’s Hall in Balmoral was not so claustrophobic but it equalled any atmosphere that you were likely to get in any passion-filled arena in the world. What a place to fight. I won the European Title there in November 1983, stopping a tough Italian called Valerio Nati in seven rounds. I fought several more fights there and each time the noise seemed to get louder, culminating in my first defence of the World Title in September 1985 when I stopped the number one contender, Bernard Taylor from the US. The fans nearly lifted the roof off that night. It was magical and I’ll never forget it.

The most majestic of all these stunning buildings and the one in the forefront of my mind is, of course, the delectable Belfast City Hall, which welcomed me home after winning the World Title on Monday 10th June, 1985. By the time our cavalcade started to roll down High Street 75,000 people were there to welcome me home. It was an incredible day I shall remember forever and I always think of Belfast as my spiritual home.