This day in boxing. A look back.

Floyd Mayweather and Zab Judah come to blows

Already a three-weight world champion, Floyd Mayweather secured a suitably high-profile opponent for his 36th professional fight in the brash, trash-talking Brooklyner Zab Judah.

Despite a build-up that did not go entirely to plan, the bout attained enormous billing, and was destined to live up to its ‘Sworn Enemies’ hype tag – but perhaps not in the way that had initially been envisaged.

Moving up to challenge Judah for a world title at a fourth different weight was a match made in heaven for Mayweather. But there was one problem: no sooner had his challenge to undisputed welterweight champion Judah been agreed, his opponent failed to keep his side of the bargain, and promptly suffered a stunning loss to unfancied Carlos Baldomir. Politicking and contract re-negotiations ensued, and the bout was rescued with only the IBF title on the line. Judah’s defeat, however, severely tarnished the contest’s pre-fight billing.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DDrBVB2V...jpg&name=small

Due to his defeat to Baldomir, Judah went into the fight as a huge underdog, with many bemoaning the fact that Mayweather might have settled for the easy option. But Judah set about proving his critics wrong, more than matching Mayweather for pace in the opening two rounds, and the favourite briefly touched down on the canvas, although referee Richard Steele ruled it a slip. Mayweather began turning the tide in the fifth round, bloodying Judah’s nose, and had built up a healthy points advantage as the fight drifted into its concluding rounds.

By now a one-sided contest, it exploded into life with 10 seconds left in the 10th round, when Judah lamped Mayweather low, and Steele intervened to give Mayweather respite. Immediately, Mayweather’s uncle Roger Mayweather jumped into the ring to confront Judah, where he was met by Judah’s father Yoel, and a melee ensured which involved the majority of both teams’ cornermen. Steele and security intervened, and eventually the fight resumed, with Mayweather clinching his landslide verdict.

Typically seeking to make the most of the incident, Judah’s promoter Don King unsuccessfully appealed for the verdict to be reversed in Judah’s favour. Both fighters had their purses temporarily withheld, while Judah, his father and Roger Mayweather all had their Nevada State Athletic Commission licences revoked for one year. Subsequently, Mayweather beat Baldomir and went on to achieve all-time greatness. Bar a brief career resurrection in 2011, when he won the IBF light-welterweight crown, Judah was not really the same again.

https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/day...050000001.html

A day late but back on 12 April 1997


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJ7tT1k-_XA

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Originally Posted by Beanz

A day late but back on 12 April 1997


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJ7tT1k-_XA

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Chuck Bodak worked as a cut man in that fight, for Oscar I believe. Chuck was the guy that trained Ali as an amateur.

On this day April 14 1955 Sugar Ray Robinson fought Ted Olla.

Can't find any footage of it unsurprisingly so with no excuse ever needed for it here is a nice little Sugar Ray Robinson video anyway


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5uOuFIYAec

Victor Galindez vs Mike Rossman

April 14 1979


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j71dLbTGwt4

Sugar Ray Robinson had a beautiful and lethal left hook. Thanks for sharing Beanz.

What a day

April 15 1985

Hagler v Hearns


http://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=rOZZoaUWf34&feature=emb_lo go

That was interesting, Hagler and Hearns were due to fight in 1982 but Hearns injured his hand. Hagler teased him about it and for turning down $2 million. So this fight was 2/3 years in the making.

For the press conference Hearns said he would become the greatest/victorious after 3 rounds which may show that he did originally intend to attack Hagler as his strategy. The story that came out after was that, because Hearn's legs were weak after a massage, Manny Steward told Tommy to just go and attack Hagler when the real plan was to box early.

First round is just a crazy war with Hagler badly cut!!!!

2nd round tons of body shots from Hagler and Hearns legs are unsteady.

3rd round Hearns boxing and using his feet because he probably injured his right hand and his jab could damage the cut of Hagler even further. Marvin was just would not be denied.

Picture of the day – April 20

Joe Calzaghe’s first defence of his British super middleweight title in April 1996 proved to be a test of character that he passed with flying colours.

The Welshmen had won all 16 of his fights and came up against West Ham’s Mark Delaney, who had won all 21 of his bouts.

https://s.yimg.com/it/api/res/1.2/_F...56d0a1e8624010

Calzaghe’s promoter Mickey Duff lost the purse bid, which meant the fight took place at the International Centre in Brentwood, Essex, packed with Delaney fans.

But the hostile atmosphere only served to inspire Calzaghe, who put Delaney down within the opening minute and broke his nose with a second knock down inside the opening round.

Delaney battled on but the referee stopped the fight after two more knock downs by Calzaghe in the fifth.

Calzaghe went on to become the first boxer to unify three of the four major world titles (WBA, WBC and WBO) at super-middleweight and he was voted 2007 sports personality of the year.

https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/pic...050000659.html

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Originally Posted by Beanz

Victor Galindez vs Mike Rossman

April 14 1979


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j71dLbTGwt4

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Forgot about this one. Another from a Lt heavyweight golden era. Tough times for Rossman and I forgot all about his brother jumping in trying to fight Galindez between rounds ;D. Oops on him.

Can also put in refs, trainers, commentators, for "On this day in Boxing". Who played their part in our memory. On this day, that some hate, some love, Howard Cosell helped make Muhammad Ali who he is died, April 23, 1997. A little more about him.1995: Howard Cosell, U.S. sports broadcaster who was known for “Monday Night Football” and for announcing premier boxing matches, especially bouts featuring Muhammad Ali, dies at 77.

TV Guide named Cosell the all-time greatest sportscaster. Yet he notably never won the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Pete Rozelle Radio-Television Award, the highest honor in sports broadcasting. The omission may be in part because as much as his fans loved his frank style, colleagues were sometimes put off by his unabashed arrogance. Cosell didn’t need TV Guide to tell him he was the best – he already knew it. Read more

Wladimir Klitschko jokes that he 'let Anthony Joshua win' epic heavyweight title clash

Wladimir Klitschko has joked that he let Anthony Joshua win the duo's classic title unification clash in 2017.

It was on this day (April 29) three years ago that a titanic heavyweight tussle played out in thrilling fashion in front of a record 90,000 fans at Wembley Stadium.

https://s.yimg.com/it/api/res/1.2/QJ...e49ff5b6daedb8

Joshua emerged the victor from an epic bout in which momentum swung agonisingly back and fourth, recovering from a first career knockdown to stop the Ukrainian in a dramatic 11th round and add the WBA (Super) and IBO belts to his IBF title.

While it has perhaps now been surpassed by December's rematch defeat of Andy Ruiz Jr as his most important result in terms of future trajectory, such a famous victory remains the high point of 2012 Olympic gold medallist Joshua's 24-fight professional career.

For Klitschko, the bout ultimately proved to be his last, with a subsequent retirement announcement ending any chance of a rematch that would have been very keenly anticipated.

Social media was awash with memories of that contest on Wednesday, with Klitschko looking back at only his fifth-ever loss - one that came 17 months after a shock defeat to Tyson Fury - in light-hearted fashion.

3 years ago today, I let @anthonyfjoshua win. Felt sorry for the little guy, lol 😂. Joke. Great Champion, classic fight, we both grew tremendously since this match. Thanks fans for supporting both of us! #obsessed

"Thanks fans for supporting both of us! #obsessed."

In response, Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn said: "As a team we learnt so much from you during this experience! You two put on a fight we will never forget. You are all class Wlad!"

Since coming out on top against Klitschko, Joshua has recorded victories over Carlos Takam, Joseph Parker and Alexander Povetkin, before relinquishing his heavyweight titles in a shock defeat to Andy Ruiz Jr that occurred on his US debut at Madison Square Garden in June 2019.

The Briton successfully regained those belts with a comfortable points victory in the rematch in Saudi Arabia in December and was due to face the first defence of his second championship reign against Bulgaria's Kubrat Pulev on June 20 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, only for that fight to be delayed as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/wla...142500845.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PEwE1q3h20

Good things come to those who wait, right? Well, that is not always the case in boxing, as demonstrated when Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao finally met on May 2, 2015.

The bout was dubbed 'Fight Of The Century', a do-not-miss battle between two long-time rivals that had been brewing for years (and years).

Instead, the main event fell a little flat, failing to live up to the hype – hardly surprising, considering for how long it had been talked about – with Mayweather emerging victorious by unanimous decision after 12 rounds in Las Vegas.

Pacquiao left the ring that night at the MGM Grand with a sore shoulder and a bruised ego. The long-awaited opportunity had rather passed him by - at 36, and with a career in politics already lined up, his future as a fighter was unclear.

Yet while Mayweather only fought once more before initially retiring – 'Money' made a comeback to face Conor McGregor for a lucrative meeting that moved his career record to 50-0 – Pac-Man is still going strong, overcoming an unexpected setback to prove his doubters wrong.

Nearly a year after the Mayweather fight, Pacquiao returned to action to face a familiar foe in what he claimed beforehand would be his boxing swansong.

"I'm so happy to be hanging up the gloves after this fight because of what I have done," he told the media ahead of facing Timothy Bradley for a third time. “I'm sure I will be sad after that fight. That's life.”

Pac-Man had his eyes on becoming a senator in the Philippines, but did not look beyond Bradley, who had won their first meeting via a controversial split-decision verdict, back in 2012.

Pacquiao had prevailed in a 2014 rematch and also came out on top in the final episode of their trilogy, dropping his opponent twice on his way to a points triumph.

That was meant to be that, except before the end of 2016 he was back between the ropes again. Jessie Vargas was no match as Mayweather watched his former opponent from close quarters at ringside, adding fuel to talk of a rematch.

Victory secured the WBO welterweight title for Pacquiao, who demonstrated that despite being just shy of his 38th birthday, he still had plenty left to give. "He's not done fighting yet," said trainer Freddie Roach.

Jeff Horn was due to be nothing more than a stepping stone. The Australian nearly missed his big opportunity – Pacquiao at one point seemed set to face former gym-mate Amir Khan instead – but had home advantage on his side. It was one of the few things experts felt he had going in his favour.

However, Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane witnessed the mother of all upsets in July 2017, in part thanks to some questionable scoring.

Horn did more than just surpass pre-fight expectations just by making it to the final bell, though. He showed a willingness to stand and trade with a legendary name, as well as coming through a ninth-round storm that looked at one stage certain to sweep him away.

He finished strongly too, but it was still a surprise to most when the challenger was declared a unanimous winner on all three cards. The verdict raised serious questions over the judges' scoring, as well as Pacquiao's future in the sport.

The WBO conducted a review into the outcome at the behest of the Philippines government, but a secondary check only vindicated the original outcome.

https://s.yimg.com/it/api/res/1.2/qi...47bbd8acc0f71b

If there were doubts over what Pacquiao had left in the tank after losing to Horn, he has emphatically quashed them since.

A year after the unexpected setback Down Under, and with Roach replaced by Restituto 'Buboy' Fernandez in his corner, a refreshed and focused fighter stopped the heavy-handed Lucas Matthysse in the seventh round in Kuala Lumpur.

Having claimed before the first bell to be the underdog, Pac-Man dissected an opponent admittedly there for the taking, knocking him down in the third and fifth rounds before a left uppercut finished the job. "I'm still here," he said afterwards, as if a first stoppage win in nearly a decade had not made that point.

After Adrien Broner managed to go the distance to lose on points in January 2019, Pacquiao gave a demonstration of his abilities when dealing with Keith Thurman just six months later.

The Filipino dropped Thurman in the first round on his way to a split-decision outcome that showed, despite this being the 71st outing as a professional, he remains at the top table in a packed welterweight division.

Mayweather may have nullified him astutely five years ago, but Pacquiao's late resurgence suggests Father Time cannot quite get the better of him just yet.

Even at 41, there are still a few chapters to be written before closing the book on a storied career.

https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/may...120020100.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lJkUcPJvzM

A day late, but what the hell..........

Floyd Mayweather vs Miguel Cotto: May 5, 2012

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_PLFpTmIYw


I posted the whole fight because the highlights I saw don't do justice to Cotto in that fight.

https://i.imgur.com/0TqXRLT.jpg

Say what you want about King and everyone does but tremendous run of PPV cards. So deep p4p Finito Lopez was making 10th defense well under the card :-X. Always felt Jackson would be blown out in do over but he left damage on Gerald first time around. Frankie Randall railroaded plane and simple.

May 12, 2001. THIS... is how you make a case for belonging in the middleweight division... not like when DLH went in against BHop. True, Trinidad lost his very next fight against BHop... but on this night beat a legitimate MW champion to set up the BHop fight.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35tzvIzNQoc

That was an exciting fight, forgot how Joppy was in that fight, when I thought Trinidad destroyed him with ease. The funny thing was Tito had success with his right hand, it seemed he could not miss Joppy when he threw it. Trinidad kept on missing with that huge left hook of his.

I thought Trinidad was going to be the undisputed champion after that performance. The champion elect but B Hop had other ideas.

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Originally Posted by Master

That was an exciting fight, forgot how Joppy was in that fight, when I thought Trinidad destroyed him with ease. The funny thing was Tito had success with his right hand, it seemed he could not miss Joppy when he threw it. Trinidad kept on missing with that huge left hook of his.

I thought Trinidad was going to be the undisputed champion after that performance. The champion elect but B Hop had other ideas.

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Yeah... unfortunately, my friend. :(

People here thought Trinidad was invincible after the Joppy fight. He just goes up to MW and destroys a legitimate MW champion. I remember people here were already calling out Roy Jones Jr. I wasn't among them, 'cause I knew THAT would be a disaster.

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Originally Posted by TitoFan

May 12, 2001. THIS... is how you make a case for belonging in the middleweight division... not like when DLH went in against BHop. True, Trinidad lost his very next fight against BHop... but on this night beat a legitimate MW champion to set up the BHop fight.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35tzvIzNQoc

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Trinidad put on a torture chamber that night. In a zone. Joppy was more than respectable at full 160 and he should have never had to go 3 fights with Julio C Green after the first 3rd round to finally 'arrive'. Says everything you need to know when you think Joppy would still go on to have his head pummeled into a pumpkin over 12 rounds with Hopkins some 2.5 years later.

B Hop beat Joppy all night but could not stop him. Think he paid Joppy some money with the bet they had. Yet Trinidad wiped him out.

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Originally Posted by Master

B Hop beat Joppy all night but could not stop him. Think he paid Joppy some money with the bet they had. Yet Trinidad wiped him out.

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I've always saw Hopkins a guy who just plain liked to beat up opponents. Sometimes it backfired late..Taylor I comes to mind..he'd play with his food for lack of a better expression. He put a clinic on Joppy who was ragged durable that night but man he was literally unrecognizable at the final bell.

lots of stuff here to read about boxing

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Originally Posted by Carlos Gracia

lots of stuff here to read about boxing

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Yes there is Carlos welcome to the forum.

On this day in 2015: James DeGale wins super-middleweight title

On May 23, 2015 James DeGale won the IBF super-middleweight title against Andre Dirrell in Boston.

Here, the PA news agency takes a look back at the fight.

After Carl Froch vacated the IBF super-middleweight title due to injury, challengers DeGale and Dirrell were paired together. The bout took place at the Agganis Arena in Boston and DeGale put on the performance of his career, completely outboxing the American. He floored Dirrell twice in the second round, but could not force a knockout. However, the Briton had done enough to earn a comfortable unanimous points victory, with two judges scoring the fight 114–112 and the third 117–109.

https://s.yimg.com/it/api/res/1.2/bj...ecb9f67fc7db06

In beating Dirrell and becoming world champion, DeGale earned a slice of history. He became the first British boxer to win an Olympic gold as an amateur and then win a world title as a professional. The Londoner topped the podium at the 2008 Beijing Games. Only Anthony Joshua and Nicola Adams, have followed suit.

DeGale took on Sweden’s Badou Jack in a unification fight, but it was declared a draw so he retained his IBF belt. But he lost it in his next defence against Caleb Truax at London’s Copper Box on a majority decision only to claim it back in a rematch five months later with a unanimous points decision. A routine knockout victory over Fidel Munoz followed before DeGale’s career ended in 2019 when he was beaten on points by Chris Eubank Jr and subsequently retired.

https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/day...050000867.html

Had doubts about DeGale early on but turned out to be an interesting run. Liked when he came over to beat Dirrell and some fireworks with Medina and Jack. Hope he's done for good though as honestly he looked like a ko waiting to happen late with the lesser of the Eubanks.

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Originally Posted by Spicoli

Had doubts about DeGale early on but turned out to be an interesting run. Liked when he came over to beat Dirrell and some fireworks with Medina and Jack. Hope he's done for good though as honestly he looked like a ko waiting to happen late with the lesser of the Eubanks.

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De Gale also had a high quality match up early in his career against George Groves. He also seemed hampered by injury and poor personality. I am glad he put on that good run which you mentioned when he won the title, went on the road defending it and made good money.

I do not think he will comeback losing to Eubank Junior would be embarrassing for him especially knowing Groves handled him so easily.

Tony Bellew becomes WBC world cruiserweight champion

On May 29, 2016 Tony Bellew won the vacant WBC world cruiserweight title with a third-round knockout of Ilunga Makabu at Goodison Park.

Here, the PA news agency takes a look back at that fight.

Bellew got the chance to fight for the WBC world cruiserweight title after reigning champion Grigory Drozd vacated the belt due to injury. The Liverpudlian was not overly keen on facing the Congolese fighter, describing him as his “worst nightmare”. A southpaw, with a big punch, Makabu had the ability to cause Bellew problems. The British fighter had home advantage on his side, though, with the bout staged at Everton’s Goodison Park stadium. Bellew is a devoted Everton fan, making it a special night for him.

https://s.yimg.com/it/api/res/1.2/zl...1693e455fc2dbe

Fears about Makabu were well-placed as his power caught Bellew cold in the first round and sent him to the canvas, even though he had dominated. A long night looked on the cards, but Bellew recovered and delivered a barrage of left hooks in the third round that floored Makabu, with the referee intervening. It was a glorious moment for Bellew, who won a world title at the third attempt after previous bouts against Nathan Cleverly and Adonis Stevenson had ended in defeat.

After a routine defence against BJ Flores, Bellew stepped up to heavyweight to settle his rivalry with David Haye. Bellew beat a heavily impaired Haye with an 11th-round knockout. The pair had a lucrative rematch, which Bellew again won with a convincing display. He returned to cruiserweight to take on undisputed champion Oleksandr Usyk, but lost and subsequently retired.

https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/day...050000284.html

I was wanting Bellew to beat Usyk.

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Originally Posted by NoSavingByTheBell

I was wanting Bellew to beat Usyk.

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I never wanted Bellew to win but when I heard him interviewed before this world title fight at his favourite football teams stadium I wanted him to win. It was a very exciting and dramatic fight so glad he achieved his dream.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBozW3_1QfY

I though Khan won gold for some reason. Were there any Brits who did and came close to a belt in the pros? Surprised Degale was the first.

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Originally Posted by p4pking

I though Khan won gold for some reason. Were there any Brits who did and came close to a belt in the pros? Surprised Degale was the first.

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Khan won a silver medal in 2004.

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Originally Posted by Master

Quote:

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Originally Posted by p4pking

I though Khan won gold for some reason. Were there any Brits who did and came close to a belt in the pros? Surprised Degale was the first.

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Khan won a silver medal in 2004.

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Mesa from Cuba beat him

On this Day in 2014: Carl Froch again proves too strong for George Groves

Carl Froch defeated George Groves for a second time at Wembley Stadium on this day (May 31) six years ago.

The 36-year-old produced a sensational knockout to see off the challenger and hold on to his WBA and IBF super middleweight belts.

Here, the PA news agency takes a look back at that fight.

The pair had fought in Manchester six months earlier with younger man Groves upsetting the favourite early on. Froch admitted he had taken Groves lightly after being floored in the first round and outboxed in the early stages, before triumphing courtesy of a controversial ninth-round stoppage.

Promoter Eddie Hearn, naturally perhaps, talked up the second contest as the “biggest fight in British boxing history”, but his bold statement was backed up by ticket sales as an 80,000 sell-out crowd descended on Wembley. It was the biggest British boxing attendance since 90,000 watched Len Harvey and Jock McAvoy fight for the British light heavyweight belt in London’s White City Stadium in 1939.

https://s.yimg.com/it/api/res/1.2/bm...55e18608742f18

Froch brought a record of 32 wins and two defeats to the ring, with 23 knockouts, compared with Groves’ 19-1 (15KOs). The Nottingham fighter had won his first world title in 2008 and had nine successful world title fights to his name, as well as losses against Mikkel Kessler and Andre Ward. But he knew his legacy was at stake in the domestic contest as 26-year-old Groves looked to step up a level.

It proved a generally cagier contest than the first fight with little between the two men until it erupted in the eighth round. As Groves let his guard slip for a split second, Froch unleashed the shot which saw the challenger crumple to the canvas unconscious. The champion said: “I knew it was only going to take a couple of big right hands to the chin and I timed it perfectly. It’s a 12-round sport, last time I was rushing it, I was trying to catch him with that shot in round one and ended up walking into one and it made for a spectacle. That was a tactical, stand-off fight.” Groves said: “Obviously I felt I was doing very well in the fight, I was in my groove and I was boxing well but it’s boxing. I’ve got to hold my hands up – Carl caught me with a shot but I’ll come back bigger, better and stronger.”

https://s.yimg.com/it/api/res/1.2/5T...7c963403ed71be

Froch described the winning shot as “the best punch of my life” and it proved to be his last. An elbow injury forced him to pull out of a Las Vegas swansong against Julio Cesar Chavez and he announced his retirement in July 2015. Groves suffered defeat in his third world title challenge, against Badou Jack, but patience paid off in May 2017 when he defeated Fedor Chudinov to claim the WBA title. The Londoner defended it against Jamie Cox and Chris Eubank Jr before suffering defeat in his last fight against Callum Smith in the World Boxing Super Series final.

https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/day...050000527.html

i still remeber a year ago i've started my boxing classes near my home, my first ever boxing gloves is Elitesports and on the first day at my class I've got broke my nose :p :p i can't forget that day, i was bleeding very badly

On this day 04 June 2005 Ricky Hatton put in a super human effort to dethrone IBF light welterweight champion Kostya Tszyu. 11 rounds of will versus skill, brilliant stuff from Hatton. Never been a big fan of Ricky but he just wouldn't be denied that night and you've got to applaud that.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gMBSLTK-4A

On this day 1999: Joe Calzaghe retains WBO super-middleweight title

Joe Calzaghe still had plenty to prove when he stepped into the ring to face little-known Australian Rick Thornberry in the fourth defence of his WBO super-middleweight title in Cardiff.

The unbeaten Calzaghe had squeezed a contentious verdict over former WBC champion Robin Reid in his previous bout in Newcastle, and was banking on a conclusive finish against his opponent.

But the curse of Calzaghe’s hand injuries struck again, effectively negating his power from the third round onwards, and allowing Thornberry to survive to the final bell, where the Welshman gained an unsatisfactory verdict.

https://s.yimg.com/it/api/res/1.2/wt...bf0ae3057a1b57

It was a tough time in Calzaghe’s career, and questions would continue to be asked after another dull points win over David Starie in his subsequent bout, as he struggled to gain the plaudits his skills deserved.

Arguably they did not arrive until his stunning win over highly-fancied American Jeff Lacy in 2006 – setting Calzaghe on his way to true boxing superstardom, and ultimately retirement with his unbeaten record proudly intact.

https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/day...050000089.html

Monday, 8 June is the 35th anniversary of one of boxing's most memorable nights.

On a cool evening in early summer 1985, at Loftus Road football ground in London, Barry McGuigan deposed the mighty Eusebio Pedroza to win the WBA world featherweight title.

It was the culmination of a remarkable journey for the charismatic young man from Monaghan in the Republic of Ireland. His sporting triumph was seen as a story which somehow brought the divided communities north of the border together.

The fight took place against a backdrop of dark and troubled days in Northern Ireland. Headlines and stories about hatred, violence, death and destruction abounded.

Tragedy piled upon tragedy as bombs and bullets spoke for the opposing sides of Unionists and Republicans.

https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/live-experi...cfc3cdb58a.jpg

It was a time of sporting tragedy too, as the Heysel Stadium disaster and Bradford City fire had recently occurred.

But 1985 was a year during which sporting triumph found a path through the gloom and despair for the people of Northern Ireland.

It was the year Dennis Taylor, from Coalisland, potted the most famous black ball ever to beat Steve Davis in that memorable late-night world snooker final.

At the time, Joey Dunlop was the TT Formula One motorcycling champion and Billy Bingham's Northern Ireland were qualifying for a second successive World Cup finals.

However, 1985 will be remembered by many for McGuigan's sensational world boxing triumph.

The Clones Cyclone was seen not just as a supreme fighter but a popular figure who united Northern Ireland's communities.

McGuigan, 24, had enjoyed a successful amateur career, competing at the 1978 Commonwealth Games and the Moscow Olympics two years later. As a pro he won British and European titles and then got his big chance when Pedroza agreed to defend his WBA world featherweight title.

The Panamanian was a legend among featherweights. The man from Panama City was the longest-reigning champion at the time, having held the WBA belt for seven years. Against McGuigan, he would be making a record 20th defence of the title.

The 29-year-old had been a pro since 1973 and, at 5ft 9in, was tall for his weight division.

The fight was staged at the west London home of Queens Park Rangers football team. There were 27,000 people there on that Saturday night and it seemed as if all of them were Irish.

Such Northern Irish sporting royalty as George Best, Norman Whiteside, Willie John McBride and Mary Peters were among those at the ground.

McGuigan's planned route to the ring had to be abandoned as fans swarmed around their hero. The challenger had to clamber through seats and it took him 12 minutes to get to the ring. Pedroza made it relatively unnoticed. The fight was live on BBC television and also on ABC in America.

McGuigan was seen not just as a great boxer, but also as a beacon of peace in Northern Ireland and beyond.

McGuigan said: "It was a very hostile time and there was a lot of craziness going on. I just did not want to get involved in it - there was enough sadness and hatred everywhere we looked.

"I deliberately took a stance of neutrality and wore the United Nations flag of peace on my shorts."

https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/live-experi...921e20944b.jpg

The crafty Pedroza had the better of things in the early rounds.

"He was freakishly tall and skilful," recalled McGuigan. "I knew technically he was far superior to me, and that the only way to beat him was to beat him for pace. If you stood off him he would just box your ears off all night long."

The turning point was the seventh round when Pedroza was caught by a right to the head and went down. He survived a count to eight and the contest continued.

McGuigan had never been beyond 10 rounds but the fight went the distance to 15 with the man from Monaghan crowned the new champion on a unanimous points verdict.

Pedroza died in March 2019 one day short of his 63rd birthday but speaking on the 30th anniversary in 2015, he reflected with admiration on the man who brought his long reign to an end.

"What I always remember is that Barry McGuigan was a sportsman who came looking for the world title," said the Panamanian.

"It was a hard fight. He came looking for that title and got what he wanted.

"I gave the opportunity to him and he knew how to make the most of that. He was a true champion of the world."

McGuigan, with trainer and mentor Barney Eastwood by his side, was welcomed by an estimated 75,000 in Belfast city centre two days after his victory.

"It was absolute madness, but great," said McGuigan who later sparked similar scenes in Dublin as he made a celebratory parade in O'Connell Street.

McGuigan's achievement landed him the BBC Sports Personality of the Year title for 1985 - he was the first person from outside the United Kingdom to receive the honour.

He made two successful defences of the title before it all turned sour in the searing heat of an outdoor arena in Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas in June 1986 when American Steve Cruz took a unanimous decision.

Costly legal battles followed in an acrimonious split with manager Eastwood, who died earlier this year. McGuigan went on to be promoted by Frank Warren for two fights before losing a third to Jim McDonnell and quitting the ring.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/boxing/52966159