'Leave the fighting to McGuigan'

THE greatest night of Barry McGuigan's career had an audience not even I'm a Celebrity can get near. In the unusual setting of QPR's Loftus Road in London, the Monaghan man defeated Eusebio Pedroza to become WBA featherweight champion on a June night in 1985. Around 25,000 fans were there in the stadium but 20m viewers tuned in on the BBC to watch McGuigan dethrone one of the great champions of the era. Now starring om 'Celebrity', Chris McKenna looks back to that famous evening

THE 'Clones Cyclone' was not just a revered fighter but a man who had brought communities together in Ireland. Back in 1985, Northern Ireland was more in the news for hatred and violence.

Bombs and bullets rained down as Republicans and Unionists fought ugly battles on the streets.

Barry McGuigan was seen as a unifying figure. 'Leave the fighting to McGuigan' would be a well-worn quote of the time.

Born just over the border in the Republic of Ireland, McGuigan fought for both sides inside the ring and tried to bring everyone together outside of it.

As a catholic, he married a protestant.