- After Dinner Speakers
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Barry McGuigan
A true boxing champion BARRY MCGUIGAN fought his way to the top of his profession becoming European and WBA Featherweight Champion of the World. His endearing character and soft spoken Irish voice is unmistakable and with his wicked sense of humour and incisive fight analysis Barry has been delivering boxing commentary all over the glove since his retirement as a professional boxer in 1989. Prior to Barry signing his exclusive deal with SKY SPORTS, he was a regular commentator for the BBC, ITV, EUROPSPORT, PRIME NETWORK in the USA and STAR TV in the Far East.
Barry McGuigan is also President and Founder of the Professional Boxers Association and chief spokesperson who is highly respected throughout the boxing world. Started because of his passionate caring for fighters being exploited and manipulated, Barry endeavours to encourage PBA members to understand the business side of boxing as well.
Boxer of the Year
During his career WBA voted him Boxer of the Year and BBC viewers made him Sports Personality of the Year. The film, The Boxer, was inspired by his incredible life and Barry’s involvement in the production of the film was a crucial ingredient, coaching Daniel Day-Lewis to professional fighting standards and choreographing all the fight scenes.
Barry has a constant stream of work as a sports personality, appearing on our screens in programmes like A Question of Sport, They Think It’s All Over, Noel’s House Party etc… and who can forget that incredible Gotcha Oscar (mention this to Barry and it brings a rye smile to his face), as well as after-dinner speaking, motivational speaking, charity work, commentating and journalism.
Barry also has a fabulous singing voice which is reminiscent of his own father’s, Patrick McGuigan, who always used to sing the unforgettable Danny Boy before Danny entered the ring.
Barry has appeared in panto, released an album entitled Never Give Up on a Dream, which did extremely well in his native land, and in rally driving has taken part in the BRITISH SALOON CAR CHAMPIONSHIP, BRITISH RALLY CROSS (in which he came 12th), the RAC and BRITISH OPEN RALLIES. Back in 1980 he served as captain of the Irish Olympic Boxing Team at the 1980 Moscow Games and in 1978 won both the European Junior Bronze Medal and The Commonwealth Games Gold Medal.
