BoxRec

Paul McCullagh Jnr, from renowned boxing family, dies at 25

Paul McCullagh Jnr, a 25-year-old light heavyweight from Belfast, Northern Ireland, has died after what is being reported by multiple outlets as “a short illness.”

McCullagh, a decorated regional amateur who turned pro in 2020, belongs to one of the most recognized boxing families in Belfast. His late grandfather Paul McCullagh coached Barry McGuigan, Hugh Russell and current welterweight titlist Anthony Cacace. His father (also Paul) was a successful amateur fighter himself, and has since become a professional referee.

McCullagh fought out of St John Bosco ABC Belfast and his family’s McCullagh ABC club, excelling as an amateur in Ulster Elite provincial competition and then internationally for Ireland. He went 2-0 as a professional, stopping Ben Thomas in 2020 and outpointing Antony Woolery in 2021.

Tributes and condolences came in from various channels in the wake of the news, from those who knew and worked with McCullagh to the extended boxing community.

The Irish Athletic Boxing Association extended its “deepest condolences to Paul’s family, club and loved ones” on its X social media account.

Carl Frampton, perhaps Belfast’s most famous boxing son, wrote on his X account: “Heart breaking to hear the terrible news about the very talented Paul McCullough Jnr. Deepest sympathies to his Dad, Paul and the rest of his family and friends.”

Irish middleweight Gary O’Sullivan, Queensberry promoter allegedly and American Jake Paul were among others who offered public support and sympathy.

“I'm absolutely gutted to learn of the passing of the young 'Irish Drago' Paul McCullagh he had such a great future ahead of him,” O’Sullivan posted on his X account.

Carl Frampton and Jake Paul pay tribute after ‘heartbreaking’ death of Belfast boxer

Former professional boxer Carl Frampton and American Youtuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul have paid tribute to the late Belfast boxer Paul McCullagh Jr after “heartbreaking” news of his death.
Frampton (38) and Paul (28) both took to social media to send their condolences to McCullagh’s family after his death on New Year’s Day at the age of 25 following a short illness.

Posting on X (formerly Twitter), Frampton said: “Heartbreaking to hear the terrible news about the very talented Paul McCullough Jnr. Deepest sympathies to his Dad, Paul and the rest of his family and friends.”

Jake Paul, also posting on X, said: “RIP Paul McCullagh Jr and condolences to all impacted. Very sh**ty week for the boxing fraternity.”

Earlier this week, British heavyweight boxer Anthony Joshua (36) was involved in a crash in Nigeria when a car in which he was a passenger collided with a stationary truck near Lagos. The accident killed two of his close friends and team members Sina Ghami and Latif "Latz" Ayodele.

Former world champion Joshua, who has now been discharged from hospital, had faced Jake Paul in a heavyweight clash on December 19 which broke Paul’s jaw in a sixth-round knockout defeat.

Paul McCullagh Jr was remembered on Thursday by a coach from his club, Belfast’s St John Bosco ABC as a “gentle giant”.

Gerard McCafferty, coach with the St John Bosco club and a good friend of Paul Jr, asked for prayers for Paul Jnr’s parents, Paul and Paula.

"I know today is supposed to be a new day, in a new year, but it is a hard day for all of us.

“But big Paul would be the first to tell us: ‘Don't worry, I'm in heaven with my granny and granda, safe in the arms of Jesus.’”

The young boxer, known as ‘the Irish Drago’ secured the Ulster Elite heavyweight title in 2019 and came from a prestigious boxing lineage. His grandfather was a respected coach in the sport, who mentored Barry McGuigan.

His father, Paul Sr, was a professional referee and a champion amateur boxer.

Barry McGuigan also paid tribute on social media, writing: "So sad to hear of the passing of young Paul McCullagh Jr. Deepest sympathies to his family. RIP.”

The Irish Athletic Boxing Association said in a statement they were “saddened” by the news.

“A member of clubs including St. John Bosco Belfast and his family’s McCullagh’s ABC, Paul won his first title in 2012, and an Ulster Elite heavyweight title in 2019. In the same year Paul represented Ulster High Performance against New York and represented Ireland in a dual nations international against the Netherlands.

“Paul turned pro after his 2019 success, and recorded a number of wins. Paul’s grandfather and father were both champion amateur boxers, the latter boxing out of Immaculata BC. Paul’s grandfather was a highly regarded pro and amateur coach and his father is a pro referee,” they said.

“IABA extends deepest condolences to Paul’s family, club and loved ones.”