Barney Eastwood
Encyclopedia
Barney Eastwood is an Irish
boxing promoter and bookmaker
.
Eastwood was introduced to boxing
through the weekly boxing tournaments at the nearby US air base and by the tutelage of a school teacher of his from County Cork
. At 19 years of age Eastwood was married, to his wife Frances, and was living in Carrickfergus running a pub and assist in the running of a local boxing club. In the late 1950s Eastwood was running small boxing shows in Belfast.
Eastwood was most notable for promoting the career of Barry McGuigan
, however after McGuigan's surprise defeat to Steve Cruz in Las Vegas
, United States the relationship between the two soured and this led to a costly and acrimonious legal battle between the two.
During the 1980s and 90s, Eastwood ran "Eastwood's Gym" along with John Breen
on Belfast's King Street. In February 2008 it was announced that Barney Eastwood would be selling his chain of 54 Betting Shops to UK chain Ladbrokes for £135 Million.
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
boxing promoter and bookmaker
Bookmaker
A bookmaker, or bookie, is an organization or a person that takes bets on sporting and other events at agreed upon odds.- Range of events :...
.
Eastwood was introduced to boxing
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
through the weekly boxing tournaments at the nearby US air base and by the tutelage of a school teacher of his from County Cork
County Cork
County Cork is a county in Ireland. It is located in the South-West Region and is also part of the province of Munster. It is named after the city of Cork . Cork County Council is the local authority for the county...
. At 19 years of age Eastwood was married, to his wife Frances, and was living in Carrickfergus running a pub and assist in the running of a local boxing club. In the late 1950s Eastwood was running small boxing shows in Belfast.
Eastwood was most notable for promoting the career of Barry McGuigan
Barry McGuigan
Finbarr Patrick McGuigan MBE , known as Barry McGuigan and nicknamed The Clones Cyclone, is a former Irish and British professional boxer who became a world featherweight champion.-Background:...
, however after McGuigan's surprise defeat to Steve Cruz in Las Vegas
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
, United States the relationship between the two soured and this led to a costly and acrimonious legal battle between the two.
During the 1980s and 90s, Eastwood ran "Eastwood's Gym" along with John Breen
John Breen
John Breen is a playwright from Limerick, Ireland. He is famous for his play Alone it Stands which tells the tale of Munster Rugby Team's legendary victory over New Zealand's mighty All Blacks in Thomond Park, Limerick in 1978...
on Belfast's King Street. In February 2008 it was announced that Barney Eastwood would be selling his chain of 54 Betting Shops to UK chain Ladbrokes for £135 Million.
Notable fighters promoted
- Barry McGuiganBarry McGuiganFinbarr Patrick McGuigan MBE , known as Barry McGuigan and nicknamed The Clones Cyclone, is a former Irish and British professional boxer who became a world featherweight champion.-Background:...
- Crisanto EspañaCrisanto EspañaCrisanto España was a professional boxer in the welterweight division.España fought out of Belfast, Northern Ireland and turned pro in 1984. España impressively won his first 30 fights, including the WBA Welterweight Title with an upset TKO in the 8th round over Meldrick Taylor in 1992...
- Paul HodkinsonPaul HodkinsonPaul Hodkinson aka Hoko is former professional boxer. Hodkinson fought at Featherweight and is the former British, European and World Featherweight Title holder....
- Noel MageeNoel MageeNoel Magee is a former professional boxer and former Commonwealth light heavyweight Title holder...
- Ray CloseRay CloseRay Close is a former boxer who fought for most of his career in the Super Middleweight division, ending his career in the Light Heavyweight division. He is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, commonly Mormon...
- Dave Boy McAuley
- Víctor CórdobaVíctor CórdobaVíctor Córdoba was a Panamanian boxer in the super middleweight division. Known as "Toby", Mitchell had a successful career and captured a world class title....
- Fabrice BenichouFabrice Benichou-Amateur career:In 1984 Benichou made it to the finals for the French National Bantamweight championship, but lost.-Pro Boxing career:Benichou won the IBF World Super Bantamweight championship in 1989. He lost it the following year to Welcome Ncita....