BoxRec

Remember in the early 90s (I think '93), Barry McGuigan talked of a comeback, which I think was purely for money reasons (he was a bit hard up, I seem to remember, though could be wrong).

If it had happened, how well would he have done? He would have presumably fought at super-feather or lightweight, both domestic divisions which were weak at the time. His main rivals would have been Floyd Havard and a young Billy Schwer. He would only have been in his early 30s but was past his peak. Also fighting for money rather than glory is not always the best motivation. The best of McGuigan would have handled Havard/Schwer comfortably; what about the 1993 version? And if he could, how much further could he have gone?

I remember that time.

I'm not sure he would have done a lot, he was cut up by McDonnell, and although I tend to think he would still have had enough for fighters like Havard and Schwer (who where still learning the game) I don't think it would have been pretty.

It would have been 4 years out of the ring at that time, and even dropping back in at British title mix would have been hard work for him in my opinion. I very much doubt he would have gone much further than British level, if he could even reach that.

Well McGuigan came to his senses. I personally think he maybe should have continued his 1989 comeback. He was just seeming to find his form, McDonnell was an awkard style for him - but I remain convinced McGuigan would have got to him. Lets not forget the start McDonnell had against Nelson.

I am not sure how hard up McGuigan was - he was offered a deal he could hardly refuse by King in 1993... around the time of Eubank vs Benn 2 (or this was when I heard about it). It worked out to being over a million a fight for a 5 fight deal (something like that) - McGuigan did think about it, and turned it down.... which shows he was sensible.

I think boxing politics made McGuigan fall out of love with the sport.... there was not a hint of a retirement following the Cruz loss early after the fight..... Indeed he was the in studio guest to Curry vs Honeyghun and talking about the itch. I do think by 1989 though, all the out of the ring shenangans drained him and his 1989 comeback was more to do with to test if the desire could comeback or not.

Alot of could have's, would have's with McGuigan... and the fact that he had a retired following his two most high profile defeats I think always tarnishes his legacy a tad - but one of those fighters whose ability outweighs his achievements.

stujones wrote:Well McGuigan came to his senses. I personally think he maybe should have continued his 1989 comeback. He was just seeming to find his form, McDonnell was an awkard style for him - but I remain convinced McGuigan would have got to him. Lets not forget the start McDonnell had against Nelson.

I am not sure how hard up McGuigan was - he was offered a deal he could hardly refuse by King in 1993... around the time of Eubank vs Benn 2 (or this was when I heard about it). It worked out to being over a million a fight for a 5 fight deal (something like that) - McGuigan did think about it, and turned it down.... which shows he was sensible.

I think boxing politics made McGuigan fall out of love with the sport.... there was not a hint of a retirement following the Cruz loss early after the fight..... Indeed he was the in studio guest to Curry vs Honeyghun and talking about the itch. I do think by 1989 though, all the out of the ring shenangans drained him and his 1989 comeback was more to do with to test if the desire could comeback or not.

Alot of could have's, would have's with McGuigan... and the fact that he had a retired following his two most high profile defeats I think always tarnishes his legacy a tad - but one of those fighters whose ability outweighs his achievements.

Think the whole business with Barny Eastwood I think broke his heart.

Interesting quote from McGuigan when he was talking about the recent Nelson v Fenech fight. And what might of happened years ago. Sounds as if Barry fancied his chances against Fenech.
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Nelson was the target had my comeback not faltered against Jim McDonnell, who went on to challenge him unsuccessfully for the WBC super-featherweight crown.

Fenech was always on my radar, too. He won the IBF bantamweight title in only his seventh fight. I'm sure we would have met had I fought on beyond 28.

I hold my hands up and say Azumah would have been too good for me. It would have been a great fight but he was too much of an all rounder. Fenech, as good as he was, would have been a great match up. I wouldn't have had to go looking for him and he didn't hit as hard as Nelson.

Good stuff, nice to see him Honest... I aint so sure he would have lost to, although no doubt I think Nelson took McDonnell alot more lightly. I guess though Nelson would have busted him open and won on cuts.

Fenech, Mitchell, Lopez, Nelson vs McGuigan - wow what a series of fights that would have been.

Its nice to see Brian Mitchell getting into the hall of fame, i remember watching him against McDonnell, Lopez, Bottiglieri and Beard. He was never the most exciting, but did everything well.
Going to the Arco Arena in Sacramento twice and drawing and beating the hometown hero Lopez took some doing, the atmosphere was great for the Lopez fights.

oliverfennell wrote:Remember in the early 90s (I think '93), Barry McGuigan talked of a comeback, which I think was purely for money reasons (he was a bit hard up, I seem to remember, though could be wrong).

If it had happened, how well would he have done? He would have presumably fought at super-feather or lightweight, both domestic divisions which were weak at the time. His main rivals would have been Floyd Havard and a young Billy Schwer. He would only have been in his early 30s but was past his peak. Also fighting for money rather than glory is not always the best motivation. The best of McGuigan would have handled Havard/Schwer comfortably; what about the 1993 version? And if he could, how much further could he have gone?

Yes it was 1993 and Mcguigan lost a financially damaging case against Barney Eastwood in the courts and the news stories accompanying it said he would have to make a comeback.

Mcguigan didnt want to box after he lost to cruz in 86. The fallout and eastwoods alleged behaviour towards him and his fathers death made him lose his hunger.

When he did comeback in the late 80's he beat 3 fringe contenders impressively and than lost against a talented yet feather fisted jim mcdonnell by tko. I remember barry just stopped fighting and absorbed shot after shot.

My point being if a light hitting inferior boxer like mcdonnell could do that to him a comeback 5 years later would have been disastrous even if the Featherweight ,superfeatherweight, lightweight divisions at the time were not particularly strong.

Harvard and Scwer werent in his league and it would have been a comedown for mcguigan.
Plus there wasnt much money in those fights. I know schwer had a big irish following in luton and of course barry was irish and lived in hertfordshire near luton, and although it may have sold 10-15,000 tickets it wouldnt have covered the money barry needed.

Eventually barrys pundit career took off so he didnt have.

Mugabi,

Some of what you said was factually wrong, some of what you said was factually correct.

Barry got stopped by a cut against McDonnell - he wasn't sharp and was losing but wasn't on the verge of getting stopped and hadn't given up. The cut was terrible.

Barry was offered a deal in 1993 by King. It was a deal that would have made McGuigan alot of money... irrespective of the opponent. Seems to be a similar sort of deal that Barrera hasn't refused now.

Mugabi,

Some of what you said was factually wrong, some of what you said was factually correct.

Barry got stopped by a cut against McDonnell - he wasn't sharp and was losing but wasn't on the verge of getting stopped and hadn't given up. The cut was terrible.

I stand by what I said McGuigan just before the stoppage had stopped attacking and was just just taking shot after shot. As brave as he was in those moments Barry didnt want to box anymore, nothing to do with courage which Barry certainly had a ton of, just a guy reaching the end of his thether in the sport.

Sorry, when I read your first post I sort of saw "DLH vs Pacqauio" or something similar. For me McGuigan was in the fight, but he was taking too many.

I doubt very much Nelson was ever on Barry's radar. Never looked like happening, even with the world wide clamour from the money-men at that time.

Mcguigan would have been a huge hit state-side if the Cruz defeat had'nt come along. They could'nt get enough of him for obvious reasons. Any further comeback would've been pitiful viewing imo, the lad had gone at the game.

My Name Is Earl wrote:I doubt very much Nelson was ever on Barry's radar. Never looked like happening, even with the world wide clamour from the money-men at that time.

Mcguigan would have been a huge hit state-side if the Cruz defeat had'nt come along. They could'nt get enough of him for obvious reasons. Any further comeback would've been pitiful viewing imo, the lad had gone at the game.

I think it would have happend personally, maybe McGuigan didn't want it - but I think it would have been an offer he couldn't refuse.

stujones wrote:

My Name Is Earl wrote:I doubt very much Nelson was ever on Barry's radar. Never looked like happening, even with the world wide clamour from the money-men at that time.

Mcguigan would have been a huge hit state-side if the Cruz defeat had'nt come along. They could'nt get enough of him for obvious reasons. Any further comeback would've been pitiful viewing imo, the lad had gone at the game.

I think it would have happend personally, maybe McGuigan didn't want it - but I think it would have been an offer he couldn't refuse.

Whispers of it coming off were a constant if i remember rightly. I reckon Barry weighed up the pro's and con's of the mega money being touted as opposed to a potential career-ending fight, and decided to stay away.

Agree about Brian Mitchell. An have-gloves-will-travel 'oldschooler' who had some memorable nights, usually against the odds.