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On Friday night at Wolverhampton, England, I was lucky enough to meet Paddy Monaghan – Bare Knuckle Boxing Champion of the World. Paddy was in the area to promote his autobiography ‘Street-Fighting Man’.
Having heard of the rough and tough bare knuckle contests he’d won over the years, I was expecting the BKB Middleweight Champion to be a big guy with an almost scary manner about him. Well, was I wrong? I instantly liked this ’gentle’ man. He had a friendly and warm personality – keen to spend time talking with anyone who was interested in his amazing story, and there were many of those!
During his two weeks away from Ireland, Paddy had been clearly over-whelmed at the response of the public towards him. Irish pubs wanted to throw parties for him, fans wanted autobiographies signed, young people wanted to hear his story and book shops received a good response to his book signings. He was indeed appreciative.
Proudly showing-off his beautifully crafted belt – Paddy took time for a few photos at ringside. Apparently, the original belt had been stolen in 1975, so a replica was made and presented to the ‘Champion’ by Samuel Kwok – Master in Martial Arts.
At ringside, Paddy reflected on his visit to the West Midlands and the many people he has met. He has particularly enjoyed talking to the young people and makes it clear that he encourages them to be ‘licensed’.
Paddy’s book – ‘Street-fighting Man’ tells the true story of his tough life as a bare knuckle boxer.
Born in Northern Ireland – Paddy’s family moved to Abingdon, Oxfordshire, when he was just five years old. Protecting fellow classmates from bullies became a regular ‘job’ and he naturally became a ‘fighter’.
Bare knuckle fighting was illegal in the UK – but it was a way to make money when work was scarce – so from the age of 16, Paddy fought as often as he could and when he retired – undefeated – in 1981, he had notched up an incredible 114 wins.
The book also tells of Paddy’s friendship with ‘The Greatest’ – Muhammed Ali – who wrote the foreword to the book. Ali had refused to go to the Vietnam War and consequently had his licence taken away some forty years ago.
Paddy was so outraged that he took it on himself to compile a petition and campaign on Ali’s behalf. Ali began to hear about the Irish-born Oxford man and after paying him a surprise-visit – the two became good friends.
‘Street-Fighting Man’ is published by Blake Publishing.
© Jane Warburton / Saddo Boxing
