Barry McGuigan

A Career that Transcended Boxing

Barry 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. A Catholic, Barry married his Protestant childhood sweetheart, Sandra Mealiff in 1981.  An Irishman, he fought for the British Title, his boxing shorts the colours of the United Nation’s Flag of Peace and rather than an anthem his father sang ‘Danny Boy’ on many emotionally charged occasions before a fight.

Barry McGuigan as TV Commentator & Journalist

For almost 20 years now, McGuigan has been commentating and writing on boxing and has developed into one of the leading figures of the sport. He has been writing a successful weekly column for the Daily Mirror for over 10 years, considered to be the No1 boxing column each week.  He has commentated throughout the world; in the USA for Prime Network, in Asia for Star TV, in Europe with Euro Sport and in the UK for BBC, Sky, Screen Sport, Setanta, Wire TV and currently for ITV. Barry is also President and Founder of the Professional Boxing Association (PBA), an organisation set up to protect the interests and promote education and skills development for professional boxers. 

Barry collaborated with the twice Academy Award nominated film director Jim Sheridan and Academy Award winner Daniel Day Lewis to make the movie ‘The Boxer’ which was inspired by his life. As well as training Day Lewis over a two year period, McGuigan choreographed and edited all the boxing scenes for the Golden Globe nominated movie. His role as a trainer has continued and he has coached his youngest son Shane to National Titles in England and Ireland.

In 2007 Barry won the ITV prime-time show ‘Hell’s Kitchen’ where, under the tutelage of world-renewed chef Marco Pierre White, he discovered his culinary talents and won himself a new generation of fans along the way. He also recently presented a cooking show “The Fabulous Food Adventure” in Northern Ireland with the chef and author Jenny Bristow.

Barry McGuigan's Boxing Academy   

In 2009 McGuigan launched the inaugural “Barry McGuigan Boxing Academy”. The intention of the academy is to use the skill and discipline required in boxing to promote and deliver an environment where young people can excel in their academic and sporting goals; positively encouraging students who feel disengaged to stay in or return to education and help raise standards in post 16 academic achievement.

Barry McGuigan as Motivational and After Dinner Speaker

Barry McGuigan's endearing character and softly spoken Irish voice, with his wicked sense of humour makes him a great motivational and after dinner speaker at corporate events.

For further information or to book Barry McGuigan, call us at Speakers Corner on +44 (0) 20 8365 3200 or email info@speakerscorner.co.uk