Dave McAuley
Encyclopedia
Dave McAuley, born 15 June 1961 in Larne
, Northern Ireland
is a former professional boxer
. During his professional career he held the IBF
world title in the Flyweight
category. He was arguably the Irelands greatest ever Flyweight.
were both voted "Fight of the Year", in 1986 and 1987 respectively. McAuley was a superb boxer who showed perhaps more bravery than any other modern Irish fighter. Anyone that was privileged enough to watch the Bassa fights would have witnessed a boxing masterclass - McAuley hauled himself off the canvas to go on and give Bassa the fright of his life. When McAuley finally defeated Duke McKenzie
for the IBF title, no Irish boxer deserved a world title more.
Regarded as the most successful Irish fighters ever, due to the numerous times he defended his recognized IBF World Title and became the most successful Irish fighter post-war with a recognized IBF World Title.
Among his most famous bouts were two brutal encounters with Colombia
n Fidel Bassa at Belfast's King's Hall
. In 1989 McAuley won the IBF title from Duke McKenzie
. He successfully defended his title five times, eventually losing it to Rodolfo Blanco
in 1992, whom he had beaten two years previously.
McAuley was unusual for a flyweight in that he was extremely tall for someone in the flyweight division, standing at 5'7". He was one of the Irelands most underrated boxers, and was poorly treated by various promoters and media after his loss to Blanco.
television station Raidió Teilifís Éireann
on their boxing coverage.
Dave Boy was rumoured for a comeback fight with Prince Naseem Hamed, for which he has stated, "I will fight anyone for the right price".
The Larne man has also enlisted several sparring partners from around the country adding weight to the claims made earlier in the year.
In 2009, he was back in Poker Super Stars and got through to the final table in London.
. He currently runs a hotel in ballygalley, near Larne, County Antrim
.
Larne
Larne is a substantial seaport and industrial market town on the east coast of County Antrim, Northern Ireland with a population of 18,228 people in the 2001 Census. As of 2011, there are about 31,000 residents in the greater Larne area. It has been used as a seaport for over 1,000 years, and is...
, Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
is a former professional boxer
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...
. During his professional career he held the IBF
International Boxing Federation
The International Boxing Federation or IBF is one of four major organizations recognized by IBHOF which sanction world championship boxing bouts, alongside the WBA, WBC and WBO.- History :...
world title in the Flyweight
Flyweight
Flyweight is a class in boxing which includes fighters weighing less than 112 lb but above 108 lb .-Professional boxing:...
category. He was arguably the Irelands greatest ever Flyweight.
Boxing career
He fought under the name Dave "Boy" McAuley, and was one of the last Irish boxers to fight for a world title over 15 rounds. His two epic fights against Fidel BassaFidel Bassa
Fidel Bassa, born 18 December 1962 in El Reten, Colombia, is a former professional boxer.He was WBA Flyweight Champion from 3 February 1987 until 30 September 1989...
were both voted "Fight of the Year", in 1986 and 1987 respectively. McAuley was a superb boxer who showed perhaps more bravery than any other modern Irish fighter. Anyone that was privileged enough to watch the Bassa fights would have witnessed a boxing masterclass - McAuley hauled himself off the canvas to go on and give Bassa the fright of his life. When McAuley finally defeated Duke McKenzie
Duke McKenzie
Duke McKenzie MBE is a British former professional boxer, now a boxing commentator for broadcaster ITV.-Boxing career:Previously a highly successful professional boxer, McKenzie has been British champion at two weights, a European champion once and World champion at three different weights...
for the IBF title, no Irish boxer deserved a world title more.
Regarded as the most successful Irish fighters ever, due to the numerous times he defended his recognized IBF World Title and became the most successful Irish fighter post-war with a recognized IBF World Title.
Among his most famous bouts were two brutal encounters with Colombia
Colombia
Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the...
n Fidel Bassa at Belfast's King's Hall
King's Hall
King's Hall may refer to the following:*King's Hall, Cambridge - former college in the University of Cambridge, England*King's Hall, Belfast - concert hall, boxing and conference venue in Northern Ireland...
. In 1989 McAuley won the IBF title from Duke McKenzie
Duke McKenzie
Duke McKenzie MBE is a British former professional boxer, now a boxing commentator for broadcaster ITV.-Boxing career:Previously a highly successful professional boxer, McKenzie has been British champion at two weights, a European champion once and World champion at three different weights...
. He successfully defended his title five times, eventually losing it to Rodolfo Blanco
Rodolfo Blanco
Rodolfo Blanco is a former boxer from Colombia who held the International Boxing Federation flyweight title in 1992.Blanco became a professional boxer in 1982. In 1987 he challenged Myung Woo Yuh for the World Boxing Association light flyweight title, losing by an eighth-round knockout. In 1990 he...
in 1992, whom he had beaten two years previously.
McAuley was unusual for a flyweight in that he was extremely tall for someone in the flyweight division, standing at 5'7". He was one of the Irelands most underrated boxers, and was poorly treated by various promoters and media after his loss to Blanco.
Broadcasting career
McAuley now works as a commentator for IrishIreland
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...
television station Raidió Teilifís Éireann
Raidió Teilifís Éireann
Raidió Teilifís Éireann is a semi-state company and the public service broadcaster of Ireland. It both produces programmes and broadcasts them on television, radio and the Internet. The radio service began on January 1, 1926, while regular television broadcasts began on December 31, 1961, making...
on their boxing coverage.
Comeback to Boxing
McAuley was almost tempted out of retirement on more than one occasion, right up to the mid 1990s.Dave Boy was rumoured for a comeback fight with Prince Naseem Hamed, for which he has stated, "I will fight anyone for the right price".
The Larne man has also enlisted several sparring partners from around the country adding weight to the claims made earlier in the year.
Poker
Dave "Boy" McAuley recently took part in a celebrity boxing poker tournament organised by partypoker.com however being an amateur in this sport was put out first after going "all in" with ace two off suit.In 2009, he was back in Poker Super Stars and got through to the final table in London.
Other activities
Dave Boy is also a pro bull rider as he demonstrated on Children In NeedChildren in Need
Children in Need is an annual British charity appeal organised by the BBC. Since 1980 it has raised over £500 million. The highlight of the Children in Need appeal is an annual telethon, held in November. A teddy bear named "Pudsey Bear" fronts the campaign, while Terry Wogan is a long...
. He currently runs a hotel in ballygalley, near Larne, County Antrim
County Antrim
County Antrim is one of six counties that form Northern Ireland, situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland. Adjoined to the north-east shore of Lough Neagh, the county covers an area of 2,844 km², with a population of approximately 616,000...
.
See also
- List of Irish sportspeople