Cannock celebration marks 40th birthday of Barry title victory

Barry McGuigan attends the Excelsior Club, Cannock, last month

A NIGHT to celebrate the 40th anniversary of one of the most magical moments in British boxing history is being staged in Cannock.

And the event at Cannock’s Premier Suite on June 5, staged by Scott Murray, will feature the man who pulled off that glorious victory – Barry McGuigan.

I find it hard to believe it has been four decades since McGuigan dethroned Panamanian great Eusebio Pedroza for the WBA featherweight title. He dropped him, hurt him several times and took a unanimous points decision.

On June 8, 1985, 27,000 fans packed out Loftus Road, London, to watch the showdown. Over 19 million TV viewers in the UK and Ireland tuned in.

It was memorable viewing. McGuigan would later quip: “Belfast was dead. So were most towns in Britain and Ireland that night.”

McGuigan’s father Pat, who once represented Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest, sang Danny Boy before the start.

In a crowded ring afterwards, tearful McGuigan dedicated the win to Young Ali who had died at his fists behind closed doors at the Grosvenor Hotel three years earlier.

And, of course, there was the scintillating performance by the “Clones Cyclone” that confirmed what we all knew - he was for real, and the best in the world.

In beating Pedroza, McGuigan had toppled a champ who had made 19 defences of his title. He had held the belt for seven years.

Pedroza had done everything the hard way. Panama had two great fighters at the time: him and Roberto Duran. There was only one Duran.

Pedroza had to take his title on the road to make money, quietly defending in South Korea, Puerto Rico, America many times, Italy many times, Japan, Papua New Guinea. 

The Cannock occasion is part of a fight anniversary tour.

Scott Murray, brings McGuigan to the Hillgrove Hotel, in the champ’s hometown of Monaghan, for an exclusive gala dinner show on Sunday, June 8.

Other nights will take place in London and Bristol.

For tickets for the Cannock event, call 01543 572092.