Former world featherweight boxing champion Barry McGuigan discusses his life inside the ring, and how he became one of the most high-profile figures in Northern Ireland during a difficult time for the country.
The Irish boxer, undisputably one of the best boxers of his generation, talks frankly to about the highs and the lows he experienced in his journey to become the best in the world.
Arguably McGuigan did something during the troubles in Ireland that the politicians could not achieve.
In those brief moments when he fought in the ring he united a nation in confict.
As an amateur he won a multitude of titles. At the tender age of 17 he took the gold medal at the 1978 Commonwealth Games and as a professional he won the British, European and World Titles.
On a memorable night in June 1985, a television audience of 20m watched as McGuigan achieved his dream and became World Featherweight Champion of the World by defeating Eusebio Pedroza.
His amazing performance later captured him the title of BBC Sports Personality of the Year.
McGuigan’s popularity transcended the sport of boxing and his fights became family occasions, uniting people across sectarian and religious divides during a troubled time in the country’s political history.
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