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. (more…)
