The 40th anniversary of Barry McGuigan's world title victory was celebrated at a special event yesterday in Monaghan.
Nicknamed 'The Clones Cyclone, he became one of Ireland's most iconic boxers following that win four decades ago. Now, exactly 40 years on from that fight that took place before an almost 27,000 crowd at Loftus Road in London on June 8 1985, the bout was commemorated in his native Monaghan.
A Gala dinner and a screening of the full fight was held in the Hillgrove Hotel yesterday afternoon. Speaking about that special time in Barry's life when he became a world champion, he said the fight created a sense of unity on the island of Ireland, at a time where the Troubles were causing division.
The match saw Barry McGuigan become champion by dropping Eusebio Pedroza of Panama in round seven and win the title on a unanimous 15-round decision.
The win became one of the greatest moments in Irish sporting history and thousands turned out to welcome the Clones fighter back home after the fight in a number of locations with up to 30,000 people taking to the streets of Clones to welcome their own champion home. Barry has been recalling that very special night 40 years on.
