This Month In Boxing History: McGuigan vs. McDonnell

It was May, 1989 and “The Clones Cyclone”, Barry McGuigan, was approaching the fourth fight on a comeback trail that had begun just over a year earlier.

After a year long run as World Featherweight Champion the Irishman lost his title in the horrible heat of Las Vegas, Nevada in June, 1986 against late replacement Stevie Cruz.

Contractual difficulties would follow and many doubted that McGuigan would fight again after such a devastating defeat. However, under new promoter Frank Warren, McGuigan would resurface at the higher super featherweight limit.

In April, 1988, the McGuigan comeback was underway as he battered Nicky Perez to submission in four rounds in London. Two more comeback wins would follow before big money was on the table for him to fight the less publicised Londoner Jim McDonnell.

McDonnell, like McGuigan, campaigned as a featherweight early in his career winning the European title in 1985. A unsuccessful world title attempt at super featherweight would follow in 1988, losing on points to the classy South African Brian Mitchell.

Like McGuigan, McDonnell would comeback from this defeat under a new promoter, Barry Hearn.

The titlists at super featherweight in 1989 were Tony Lopez, Brian Mitchell and Azumah Nelson. Many were tipping McGuigan at this time to challenge one of these champions.

The prospect of McGuigan squaring up to rival Azumah Nelson was a possibility in 1989, although management were looking at the time to go down the Lopez path.

The Irishman was a heavy favourite to defeat the lighter punching McDonnell when the two met in May, 1989. McGuigan had looked impressive in his four comeback wins and although he had been cut in his last outing, many thought his pressure would be too much for McDonnell.

The billing was apt that night in May. It was a world title eliminator and the winner would be in line for a title shot. For the loser, there really was nowhere to go.

The fight began the way many people had predicted. McGuigan applying the pressure and McDonnell circling his foe, landing long punches and keeping his distance.

One of those long punches, a swinging wide left hand, connected in round one and Mcguigan was cut early. It was a nasty cut and realising he was on borrowed time, McGuigan would increase the pressure.

McDonnell would stay out of trouble landing his long punches and after being given two full rounds, referee Mickey Vann would signal the end of the bout in round four. The underdog had won.

Before the fight, McGuigan had stated that if he lost he would never set foot inside a ring again in combat. He was true to his word as live on national television, merely thirty minutes after leaving the ring, he announced his retirement.

For McDonnell, the world title opportunity would follow in November against the great Azumah Nelson and after a brave display, he was finally overwhelmed in the 12th round.

An ill advised comeback fight would follow in September the following year when McDonnell was KO’d in four rounds by the much bigger Kenny Vice.

Ironically, following this fight, both men, McGuigan and McDonnell, would verbally spar when commentating on satellite channel Screensport on various televised Matchroom bills.

McGuigan remains in the public eye and was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2005. He is also the chairman of the Professional Boxers Association, which teaches boxers the importance of education. He is now a big fight analyst on the ITV television network.

McDonnell, following his retirement from the ring, also remained in boxing. After his stint as a TV commentator, he is now a well respected trainer, having trained Danny Williams to his shock win over Mike Tyson and Herbie Hide to his WBO title win. He is now in the corner of 2008 Olympic Gold Medallist James DeGale.