Barry McGuigan Biography
Undisputedly, Barry McGuigan - After dinner speaker, motivational speaker and awards host - was one of the best boxers of his generation. 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, balmy night in June 1985, a television audience of twenty million watched as McGuigan achieved his dream and became Featherweight Champion of the World by defeating Eusebio Pedroza, voted ‘Fight of the Year’ by Ring magazine. His amazing performance later captured him another title of BBC Sports Personality of the Year. McGuigan was voted into the World Boxing Hall of Fame in 2000 and the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2005.
Background and career
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. 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 emotionally charged occasions before a fight.
For almost 20 years, McGuigan has been commentating and writing on boxing and has become one of the leading figures of the sport. He writes a weekly column for the Daily Mirror, considered to be the top boxing column. He has commentated 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. He 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 for two years, 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 chef and author Jenny Bristow.
In November 2009 McGuigan launched the inaugural Barry McGuigan Boxing Academy. The academy aims to use the skill and discipline required in boxing to promote and deliver an environment where young people can excel; positively encouraging students who feel disengaged to stay in or return to education and help raise standards in post 16 academic achievement. A great success, it is moving into two further colleges in September.
Speaking Topics
Engaging and intelligent, McGuigan's heritage and incredible career during the most difficult of circumstances make him a renowned and much sought after speaker.
- Boxing
- After dinner speaker
- Motivational speaker
- Awards host
For further information or to book Barry McGuigan, call us at Speakers Corner on +44 (0)20 7607 7070 or email info@speakerscorner.co.uk
Barry McGuigan Video
Barry McGuigan Speaker Showreel - Click play to watch a short sample video clip of Barry McGuigan. For more information on Barry McGuigan please contact one of the Speakers Corner booking agents on +44 (0)20 7607 7070 or email info@speakerscorner.co.uk
Barry McGuigan News
A selection of relevant news related to Barry McGuigan, After Dinner Speakers and Awards Hosts & Presenter, Celebrity Chefs, Great Value Speakers and Sport Speakers stories. For more information on Barry McGuigan or details as to how to book Barry McGuigan for your corporate event, please contact one of the Speakers Corner booking agents on +44 (0)20 7607 7070 or email info@speakerscorner.co.uk
Speakers Corner Presents Boxing Stars
8th November 2011
As the world of boxing mourns the loss of heavyweight champion Joe Frazier, Speakers Corner presents a host of boxers and boxing experts whose message of determination, intelligence and overcoming adversity enhance and enlighten corporate audiences around the globe. Barry McGuigan and John Conteh are two of the most popular speaker on the corporate circuit.
Claudia Winkleman to be new Hell's Kitchen host
25th March 2009
Claudia Winkleman will take over from Angus Deayton as the presenter of Hell's Kitchen. Claudia is best known as the presenter of BBC Two's IT Takes Two, the companion show to Strictly Come Dancing. This will be the fourth series of the show in which Michelin-starred chef Marco Pierre White puts a group of celebrities through their culinary paces.
McGuigan crowned a knock-out chef
18th September 2007
Former world boxing champion Barry McGuigan was crowned head chef of ITV's culinary reality show Hell's Kitchen
Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff: From Cricket to Boxing
More than two years since his retirement from cricket, Freddie Flintoff has, quite literally, turned his hand to professional boxing.
Rebecca Adlington Hopes to Become TV Presenter
17th May 2013
Olympic Gold medallist, Rebecca Adlington has spoken about her hopes of becoming a TV presenter one day.
Rasmus Ankersen Supports Ryan Air
14th May 2013
Keynote speaker and author of ‘The Gold Mine Effect’, Rasmus Ankersen has revealed that he is a fan of the low budget airline, Ryan Air.
Paralympics Wins BAFTA
13th May 2013
The London 2012 Paralympic Games were awarded a BAFTA for the best sport and live event of 2012 and they were up against some strong competition.
Ronnie O’Sullivan Wins Fifth World Title
7th May 2013
Snooker player, Ronnie O’Sullivan beat Barry Hawkins to win the Betfair World Championships at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield.
Dinner Named 7th Best Restaurant in the World
2nd May 2013
Dinner, the restaurant owned by Celebrity chef and after dinner speaker, Heston Blumenthal, has been named the seventh best restaurant in the world in an annual survey.
Lions Squad is Announced
1st May 2013
The 2013 British Lions Squad has been announced and Welsh player, Sam Warburton will Captain the team.
Barry McGuigan Reviews
Barry McGuigan has spoken and appeared at a number of recent corporate events. Please find some client speaker testimonials and reviews for Barry McGuigan for a number of these events and conferences. If you would like some additional information as to how to book Barry McGuigan for your corporate event, then please contact one of the Speakers Corner booking agents on +44 (0)20 7607 7070 or email info@speakerscorner.co.uk
Barry proved a huge success. He was very happy to talk with guests and appeared genuinely interested in the products and purpose of the event. A delightful man who was a pleasure to meet.
For further information or to book Barry McGuigan, call us on +44 (0)20 7607 7070 or email info@speakerscorner.co.uk
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