Checkout Finish - Barry McGuigan Rolling with the
Punches O
ne of the greatest boxers of his generation, Barry McGuigan won a number of titles including a Commonwealth
Games gold medal, and as a professional he won the British, European and World titles. His performance in front of a televised audience of twenty million in defeating Eusebio Pedroza won him the World Featherweight Championship and the subsequent BBC Sports Personality of the Year award. After hanging up his gloves, McGuigan has since become one of the most popular figures in the sport with a host of media commitments for the Daily Mirror, Sky and the BBC amongst others and is President and Founder of the Professional Boxing Association (PBA). 2009 saw McGuigan launch the ‘Barry McGuigan Boxing Academy’ where
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SGB-SPORTS.COM McGuigan in brief
Proudest Achievement? Transcending sectarian and religious divide in Northern Ireland during a troubled period in the country’s history.
Favourite boxer of all time? Roberto Duran
Greatest boxer of all time? Sugar Ray Robinson
Male boxer to watch? Anthony Joshua. A super heavyweight who is likely to be British boxing’s poster boy at the Olympics.
Female boxer to watch? Katie Taylor. Also an Irish women’s footballer, Taylor is a three-time world amateur champion.
SGB were granted an exclusive interview with boxing legend Barry McGuigan. He talks to Alex Fordham about his boxing academy and all things boxing.
the aim is to use the skill and discipline seen in boxing to promote an environment where youngsters can achieve their academic and sporting potentials. “Like most sports, 95% of boxers will not
earn enough money out of the sport to be financially secure” says McGuigan. “This leads to many boxers being left isolated and vulnerable with no qualifications to fall back on. With jobs also currently at a premium, it is essential they have something to fall back on. The academy aims to help engage youngsters in education and help them achieve some qualifications to further enhance their lives.” With the world of sport such a unique
existence, it leaves both successful and unsuccessful boxers with a predicament after finishing boxing. Often many have little or no qualifications and leads to an
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