BoxRec

8th June 1985 , Barry McGuigan defeats Eusebio Pedroza.
I remember watching this at a holiday camp in Weymouth, i was 13 years old. And it was one of the reasons i got into boxing.

At the time it was a huge fight, watched by 20 million people on TV. Pedroza was a true world champion making his 20th defence of the WBA title against McGuigan, he had fought all over the world. But Barry overcame the ageing champion almost stopping him in the 7th, but had to settle for a unaminous decision. The fight was Rings 'Fight of the year'.

And its good to see that both boxers have done OK since retiring, Pedroza holds a job with the Panama government as a chief of general services, providing utilities for disadvantaged citizens.

It was a hot fight and a hot night. Barry licked the great Pedroza and over in Clones his parents lost their house to a fire.

A cracking fight at a time when the whole country new the names of our boxers and 20 million watched it,ah the good old days. and what a proud champion Pedroza was,still trying right up to the final bell.

Still my favourite boxing memory. Incredible occasion.

Old bones Ian wrote:8th June 1985 , Barry McGuigan defeats Eusebio Pedroza.
I remember watching this at a holiday camp in Weymouth, i was 13 years old. And it was one of the reasons i got into boxing.

At the time it was a huge fight, watched by 20 million people on TV. Pedroza was a true world champion making his 20th defence of the WBA title against McGuigan, he had fought all over the world. But Barry overcame the ageing champion almost stopping him in the 7th, but had to settle for a unaminous decision. The fight was Rings 'Fight of the year'.

And its good to see that both boxers have done OK since retiring, Pedroza holds a job with the Panama government as a chief of general services, providing utilities for disadvantaged citizens.

Amazing to hear about Pedroza's post-ring endeavours, Ian, thank you, that's made my day that has. Good luck to both men.

A great memory McGuingan fought brilliantly and must have hit his peak that night at Loftus Road. Pedroza went out on his shield, just what you would expect from a very proud champion.

It really was a different era back then, I remember relatives and neighbours coming around to watching that fight.

The only downside was that Pedroza's team blatantly used ammonia capsules in the corner.

Oh Danny Boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling...from Glen to glen and down the mountainside....

Oh, those were the days. I remember like it only took place yesterday. 25 years! Time has gone really quick. I love Barry's analysis of fights and fighters for Sky. I must be getting too old as I remember Barry as a promising young boxer who had a shock loss to Chris Eubanks' older brother and he couldn't believe it.

barrys finest hour a great fight

long before my time , feels good to say im only 30 , makes me sound younger for once instead of "bloody hell im 30 now " . in 85 i was only 5 and in all honesty know bugger all about this fight , which is a shame , Mcguigan in still even now the only boxer my mum would know lol , so he must have been pretty descent , but ive just not seen many of his fights , when past fights are shown on tv they always seem to be the heavyweights , so while i know about old heavies i know nothing pre-90 ish for lighter guys other than pretty much what i read on these boards or in boxing news , im gonna have to make a point in researching these as i know im missing out on some classic bouts.

It was probably the last great 15-rounder televised in Britain.

I watched it as a 15 year old with my father.
He still tells people how i "threw every punch with mc guigan that night"
He's wrong of course..........but i threw most of them.