By Marc Gorman/Niall Doran
A big happy St.Patricks day from everyone at Doran’s Boxing Blog!
This year for Paddy’s day we at D.B.B would like to pay tribute to a variety of great Irish boxers and some of Irelands warriors that we as a nation have produced down through the years, past and present.
Remembering Irelands Warriors:
Jack Doyle
17-6 (16KO). “The Gorgeous Gael” was perhaps the greatest Irish boxing character of them all. At one time in his life he was a contender for the British Boxing Championship, and actor and even an accomplished tenor!
Jimmy McLarnin
55-11-3 (21KO). Hall of famer Jimmy McLarnin (originally from Hillsborough, County Down) was arguably one of Ireland’s best ever boxers having become two time welterweight champion of the world in the early 1950’s beating Young Corbett III and Barney Ross on both occasions.
Eamonn Loughran
26-2-1 (13KO). Eammon Loughran from Ballymena, Co.Antrim was the former WBO welterweight champion of the world which he originally won against Lorenzo Smith in Kings Hall Belfast in 1993 and went on to defend his title 5 times.
Michael Carruth
The great Dubliner will always be remembered very fondly by Irish fight fans for his famous Olympic Gold medal triumph in the 1992 Barcelona games where he won Gold for Ireland in the welterweight division.
John Monaghan
52-9-8 (19KO). “Rinty” as he was affectionately known, was a charismatic big hitting flyweight from Belfast who became the undisputed world champion in the late 1940’s and forever will be remembered as an Belfast boxing hero.
Tom Sharkey
34-7-6 (34KO). A Dundalk heavyweight brawler who at one time was a sailor in the US Navy but in boxing circles will always be remembered for famously fighting the legendary “Gentleman” Jim Corbett to a draw in 1896 to go on to win the world heavyweight title on a disqualification against Bob Fitzsimmons later that year.
Dave “Boy” McAuley
18-3-2 (8KO). Former IBF world flyweight champion and considered by many to be Ireland’s greatest ever flyweight exponent. He originally won the belt in 1989 when he defeated the super tough Englishman Duke McKenzie. A fearless champion.
Freddie Gilroy
28-3 (18KO). A Bronze medal winner at the 1956 Olympic in Melbourne for Ireland, Belfast native Freddie went on to have an excellent pro bantamweight career where he became British, Commonwealth and European Champion and lost a points decision for the world title in 1960. He finished his career by beating Johnny Caldwell in 196 by a 9th round TKO.
Johnny Caldwell
29-5-1 (14KO) Former bantamweight champion of the world from Belfast. He was known as a class fighter who is remembered well for one fight in particular for his fight with Freddie Gilroy in 1962 where he lost but many consider the fight to be one of the best that ever took place on the island of Ireland.
Barry McGuigan
32-3 (28KO). The Clones Cyclone, McGuigan was responsible for the revival of Irish boxing in the 80’s. A true legend of the game inside and outside of the ring for Ireland.
Steve Collins
36-3 (21KO). Famous for his duo of fights with nemesis Chris Eubank the Celtic Warrior was a household name in the 90’s as WBO Super Middleweight Champion. Also beat the legendary Nigel Benn on two occasions.
Bernard Dunne
28-2 (15KO). The former WBA Super Bantamweight Champion from Dublin was massively popular due to his fights being shown on the national TV network. He is currently a much loved TV pundit.
Carl Frampton
17-0 (12KO). Current undefeated super bantamweight from Tigers Bay in Belfast. Tremendous puncher but also a very clever boxer. Within touching distance of a world title shot at this particular time in 2014.
Wayne McCullogh
27-7 (17KO). Legendary amateur and professional Irish boxing star. Won the silver medal for Ireland in the 1992 Barcelona games but as a professional went on to become WBC bantamweight champion of the world. A relentless competitor who took on the absolute very best in his era, moving up multiple weight divisions to have famous fights with legends like Naseem Hamed and Eric Morales. Wayne “The Pocket Rocket”McCullogh!
Tyson Fury
22-0 (16KO). Controversial but an always entertaining heavyweight who now resides in Manchester but originally from Ireland. Still undefeated with a big rematch fight against Dereck “Delboy” Chisora muted for the summer of 2014. Possibly could be Ireland’s next heavyweight champion of the world.
Matthew Macklin
30-5 (20KO). The “Tipperary Tornado” has to be one of Ireland’s great middleweights. Still an active fighter, he came within inches of winning the world title in recent times against Sergio Martinez and Felix Sturm (a fight most commentators believe Macklin won). With a rematch against Sturm being reported for the summer Matthew may finally realise his dream of becoming champion of the world in 2014.
Kenny Egan
One of Ireland’s greatest ever amateurs amassing an incredible record that boasts an incredible 10 Irish titles. However he will be remembered for his brave effort in the 2008 Beijing Olympics where he won the Silver medal for Ireland, with most spectators feeling he clearly did enough to win the Gold.
Katie Taylor
Ireland’s favourite boxing lady. Katie became Ireland’s Golden girl in the 2012 Olympic games in London where female boxing was brought in for the first time in the history of the Olympics. Not only a brilliant current active boxer but a great ambassador for Irish sport.
John Duddy
28-2 (18KO). Derry born Duddy fought his career out of the USA. He retired after a UD loss to Julio Cesar Chavez Jr in 2010. A boxing hero in New York where he built up a tremendous fab base with Irish Americans state side.
Andy Lee
30-2 (21KO). Born in London, raised in Limerick, Lee fought out of the Kronk gym in Detroit, mentored by the late, great Emanuelle Steward. Fought for the middleweight championship only to lose to Sergio Martinez. Under new trainer Adam Booth it will be interesting to see if Andy has one last run at the title again, or even possibly an all Irish clash with Matt Macklin.
Darren Sutherland
4-0 (4KO). An Olympic Bronze medallist, Sutherland was tipped for the top. A perfect start to the Pro ranks with 4 stoppages, his career was cut short after he took his own life tragically aged just 27.
Jamie Kavanagh
15-1-1 (7KO). The Malaga based Dubliner was trainer by Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach until his one and only loss. He is trained now by Joel Diaz. A one to watch for the future.
Michael Gomez
38-10 (25KO). The Irish Mexican, Gomez was one of Irelands most exciting fighters. Never in a dull fight, he was trained by Bobby Rimmer in the UK. Renowned for his relentless aggression. Famously dropped Amir Khan in their contest. An all action fighting style that will always be fondly remembered.
Mike McTigue
77-26-8 (52KO). “Bould” Mike from Co.Clare was the light-heavyweight champion of the world between 1923-1925. In fact it was 91 years ago today on St Patrick’s day 1923 when Mike originally won the title against Battling Siki!
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