Barry McGuigan is a boxing promoter and former professional boxer, prior to his retirement from the sport. Nicknamed 'The Clones Cyclone', he was born and raised in Clones, County Monaghan, Ireland. As a WBA and lineal featherweight world champion, he as a firm favourite amongst Irish and British fans alike, as he was a symbol of peace and neutrality at a time in Ireland where The Troubles were heavily affecting the region.
In response to his boxing dedication, Barry was inducted into the international boxing hall of fame in 2005. Thanks to his years of experience and people-management skills, Barry is the president of the Professional Boxing Association (PBA) and the founder/CEO of Cyclone Promotions, a business that manages boxers including Scotland's Josh Taylor.
Whilst boxing as an amateur, Barry served Northern Ireland in the 1978 Commonwealth Games at Edmonton, as well as represented Ireland in the 1980 Moscow Summer Olympics. So the boxer could represent Great Britain and compete for GB titles, he became a British citizen. Over the course of his professional career, Barry competed at various venues in both Great Britain and Ireland. By the mid-1980s he had earned an immense following of fans, both locally and internationally, reflected in how easily he filled the King’s Hall in Belfast to capacity. In 2024 Barry entered the iconic I'm A Celebrity jungle, where he became a much loved contestant. Barry was eliminated in episode 19.
As he rose in prominence during a particularly tense time in Ireland, Barry credited his unwavering, varied support as "[the] shadows ran deep. And my fights felt a little like sunshine. Both sides would say: 'Leave the fighting to McGuigan.' You see, it was also entertainment – people loved to forget the Troubles a while. The fact that I wouldn't wear green, white and gold or put on a sign that said this is who I represent was powerful. It was a very mature and dangerous thing to do. I wouldn't choose sides. People appreciated that."
This boxing legend is available to book for a wide variety of events. Dedicated, hilarious and emotionally honest, he shares his personal story of success and adversity to captivated audiences. The perfect addition to workshops, industry events and Q&A events, Barry’s effortless public speaking style embraces his audiences and inspires them to pursue their own passions.
