Paul McCloskey
Encyclopedia
Paul McCloskey is an Irish
southpaw professional boxer
who fights in the light welterweight
division.
McCloskey is the former Irish senior amateur champion
, former British light-welterweight champion and current European light-welterweight champion.
and hurling
at underage and briefly at senior level for the local clubs in Dungiven - St. Canice's Dungiven
and Kevin Lynchs
respectively. He was part of the Dungiven side that won the Derry Senior Football Championship and Ulster Senior Club Football Championship
in 1997.
at amateur level
and was a three-time Irish
champion and five-time senior Ulster
champion at in the light welterweight
division. He failed to qualify for the 2004 Summer Olympics
by ending up in third place at the 2nd AIBA European 2004 Olympic Qualifying Tournament
in Warsaw, Poland.
and Neil Sinclair
at the King's Hall, Belfast. In his debut McCloskey defeated experienced Englishman "Dangerous" David Kehoe with a third round knockout.
In December 2007 he won the IBF International light-welterweight title, stopping Tontcho Tontchev
in round four.
After beating Nigel Wright on points in July 2008, he fought Colin Lynes
on 5 December 2008 for the vacant British light-welterweight title. McCloskey won, forcing Lynes to retire after the ninth round.
Following his British title victory, McCloskey was named Boxer of the Year at the Irish National Boxing Awards in January 2009.
On 13 March, McCloskey retained his British light-welterweight title in emphatic fashion with a fourth-round stoppage of Dean Harrison in Widnes.
McCloskey won the vacant European light welterweight title on 6 November 2009, when he defeated Spanish boxer Daniel Rasilla after original opponent and champion Mbaye withdrew due to injury.
McCloskey defended his European title against Giuseppe Lauri from Italy on 11 June at the Kings Hall, Belfast, with an 11th round knockout.
McCloskey's next defence of his European title was against Barry Morrison
in Letterkenny
, County Donegal
, on 2 October 2010. McCloskey won the fight with a seventh round stoppage of his Scottish opponent.
His third defense of the title would've been against second Italian challenger, Michele Di Rocco on March 5, 2011.
Michele Di Rocco has a record of (21-1-1) with 12 kos and his only loss was by knockout in the 7th round against Giuseppe Lauri, whom McCloskey knocked out in the 11th round. But this match has been cancelled due to the Khan fight being worked out.
at the Manchester Evening News Arena
on Saturday 16 April 2011 when the fight was stopped in the sixth round. This was the result of an accidental head clash which left McCloskey with a cut above his eye.
in a world title eliminator on 10 September 2011 by unanimous decision, with two judges scoring the bout 114-113, and the third judge scoring it 115-113. During the fight Prescott dominated the early rounds, scoring a knockdown in the first round by clearly pushing his with his forearm and later breaking McCloskey nose which bleed heavily throughout the fight. However, McCloskey rallied in the second half of the fight and dominated Prescott in the latter rounds. McCloskey will now look to fight for the world title against hard hitting Argentenian Marcos Rene Maidana, or possibly set up an eagerly anticipated re-match with Amir Khan.
|- style="text-align:center; background:#e3e3e3;"
| style="border-style:none none solid solid; "|Res.
| style="border-style:none none solid solid; "|Record
| style="border-style:none none solid solid; "|Opponent
| style="border-style:none none solid solid; "|Type
| style="border-style:none none solid solid; "|Rd., Time
| style="border-style:none none solid solid; "|Date
| style="border-style:none none solid solid; "|Location
| style="border-style:none none solid solid; "|Notes
|- align=center
|Win
|23-1
|align=left|
Colombia Breidis Prescott
|
|
|
|align=left|
|align=left|
|- align=center
|Loss
|22-1
|align=left|
Kingdom of England Amir Khan
|
|
|
|align=left|
|align=left|
|- align=center
|Win
|22-0
|align=left|
Kingdom of Scotland Barry Morrison
|
|
|
|align=left|
|align=left|
|- align=center
|Win
|21-0
|align=left|
Italy Giuseppe Lauri
|
|
|
|align=left|
|align=left|
|- align=center
|Win
|20-0
|align=left|
Spain Daniel Rasilla
|
|
|
|align=left|
|align=left|
|- align=center
|Win
|19-0
|align=left| Kingdom of England Dean Harrison
|
|
|
|align=left|
|align=left|
|- align=center
|Win
|18-0
|align=left| Kingdom of England Colin Lynes
|
|
|
|align=left|
|align=left|
|- align=center
|Win
|17-0
|align=left| Kingdom of England Nigel Wright
|
|
|
|align=left|
|align=left|
|- align=center
|Win
|16-0
|align=left|
Mexico César Bazán
|
|
|
|align=left|
|align=left|
|- align=center
|Win
|15-0
|align=left| Mexico Manuel Garnica
|
|
|
|align=left|
|align=left|
|- align=center
|Win
|14-0
|align=left|
Kingdom of Bulgaria Tontcho Tontchev
|
|
|
|align=left|
|align=left|
|- align=center
|Win
|13-0
|align=left|
Poland Dariusz Snarski
|
|
|
|align=left|
|align=left|
|- align=center
|Win
|12-0
|align=left| Italy Alfredo Di Feto
|
|
|
|align=left|
|align=left|
|- align=center
|Win
|11-0
|align=left|
Argentina Ivan Orlando Bustos
|
|
|
|align=left|
|align=left|
|- align=center
|Win
|10-0
|align=left| Kingdom of England Chill John
|
|
|
|align=left|
|align=left|
|- align=center
|Win
|9-0
|align=left|
Kingdom of Romania Eugen Stan
|
|
|
|align=left|
|align=left|
|- align=center
|Win
|8-0
|align=left|
Nigeria Silence Saheed
|
|
|
|align=left|
|align=left|
|- align=center
|Win
|7-0
|align=left| Kingdom of England Daniel Thorpe
|
|
|
|align=left|
|align=left|
|- align=center
|Win
|6-0
|align=left| Kingdom of England Surinder Sekhon
|
|
|
|align=left|
|align=left|
|- align=center
|Win
|5-0
|align=left| Kingdom of England Duncan Cottier
|
|
|
|align=left|
|align=left|
|- align=center
|Win
|4-0
|align=left|
Wales Henry Janes
|
|
|
|align=left|
|align=left|
|- align=center
|Win
|3-0
|align=left| Kingdom of England Billy Smith
|
|
|
|align=left|
|align=left|
|- align=center
|Win
|2-0
|align=left|
Lithuania Oscar Milkitas
|
|
|
|align=left|
|align=left|
|- align=center
|Win
|1-0
|align=left| Kingdom of England David Kehoe
|
|
|
|align=left|
|align=left|
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
southpaw professional boxer
Professional Boxing
Professional boxing, or prizefighting, emerged in the early twentieth century as boxing gradually attained legitimacy and became a regulated, sanctioned sport. Professional boxing bouts are fought for a purse which is divided among the fighters and promoters as determined by contract...
who fights in the light welterweight
Light welterweight
-Professional boxing:The light welterweight class is a weight division in professional boxing that has a limit of 63.5 kg or 140 pounds...
division.
McCloskey is the former Irish senior amateur champion
Irish Amateur Boxing Association
The Irish Amateur Boxing Association is the governing body of amateur boxing in Ireland. It was founded in 1911 following a meeting in Dublin.-Structure:...
, former British light-welterweight champion and current European light-welterweight champion.
Gaelic games
McCloskey played both Gaelic footballGaelic football
Gaelic football , commonly referred to as "football" or "Gaelic", or "Gah" is a form of football played mainly in Ireland...
and hurling
Hurling
Hurling is an outdoor team game of ancient Gaelic origin, administered by the Gaelic Athletic Association, and played with sticks called hurleys and a ball called a sliotar. Hurling is the national game of Ireland. The game has prehistoric origins, has been played for at least 3,000 years, and...
at underage and briefly at senior level for the local clubs in Dungiven - St. Canice's Dungiven
Dungiven GAC
St. Canice's GAC Dungiven is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in Dungiven, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. They currently cater for Gaelic football and Ladies' Gaelic football. The hurling club in the town is Kevin Lynch's....
and Kevin Lynchs
Kevin Lynch's Hurling Club
Kevin Lynch's Hurling Club is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in Dungiven, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. They currently cater for hurling. The Gaelic football and Ladies' Gaelic football team in the town is St...
respectively. He was part of the Dungiven side that won the Derry Senior Football Championship and Ulster Senior Club Football Championship
Ulster Senior Club Football Championship
The Ulster Senior Club Football Championship is an annual Gaelic football club competition played between the top clubs in Ulster. The trophy awarded to the winners is the Seamus McFerran Cup...
in 1997.
Amateur career
McCloskey boxed out of the St. Canices ABC and fought for IrelandIrish Amateur Boxing Association
The Irish Amateur Boxing Association is the governing body of amateur boxing in Ireland. It was founded in 1911 following a meeting in Dublin.-Structure:...
at amateur level
Amateur boxing
Amateur boxing is practised at the collegiate level, at the Olympic Games and Commonwealth Games, and in many other venues sponsored by amateur boxing associations. Amateur boxing bouts are short in duration and fighters wear head protection, so this type of competition prizes point-scoring rather...
and was a three-time Irish
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...
champion and five-time senior Ulster
Ulster
Ulster is one of the four provinces of Ireland, located in the north of the island. In ancient Ireland, it was one of the fifths ruled by a "king of over-kings" . Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the ancient kingdoms were shired into a number of counties for administrative and judicial...
champion at in the light welterweight
Light welterweight
-Professional boxing:The light welterweight class is a weight division in professional boxing that has a limit of 63.5 kg or 140 pounds...
division. He failed to qualify for the 2004 Summer Olympics
2004 Summer Olympics
The 2004 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the Games of the XXVIII Olympiad, was a premier international multi-sport event held in Athens, Greece from August 13 to August 29, 2004 with the motto Welcome Home. 10,625 athletes competed, some 600 more than expected, accompanied by 5,501 team...
by ending up in third place at the 2nd AIBA European 2004 Olympic Qualifying Tournament
2nd AIBA European 2004 Olympic Qualifying Tournament
The 2nd AIBA European 2004 Olympic Qualifying Tournament was held in Warsaw, Poland from March 30 to April 4, 2004 at the annual Feliks Stamm Boxing Tournament...
in Warsaw, Poland.
Professional career
McCloskey turned professional in March 2005 on the undercard of a bill that included Eamonn MageeEamonn Magee
Eamonn Magee nicknamed the Terminator is a former boxer who is now a trainer with the Breen Team in Belfast...
and Neil Sinclair
Neil Sinclair
Neil Sinclair aka Sinky is a professional boxer. He usually fights at light middleweight or the divisions either side.-Amateur career:...
at the King's Hall, Belfast. In his debut McCloskey defeated experienced Englishman "Dangerous" David Kehoe with a third round knockout.
In December 2007 he won the IBF International light-welterweight title, stopping Tontcho Tontchev
Tontcho Tontchev
Toncho Dimitrov Tonchev is an Bulgarian boxer, who won the Lightweight Silver medal at the 1996 Summer Olympics. Tontchev also represented his native country at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain....
in round four.
After beating Nigel Wright on points in July 2008, he fought Colin Lynes
Colin Lynes
Colin Lynes is a British professional boxer from Hornchurch in London. He is a former IBO World, British and European champion at light welterweight and is the reigning British champion at welterweight.-Early Professional Career:...
on 5 December 2008 for the vacant British light-welterweight title. McCloskey won, forcing Lynes to retire after the ninth round.
Following his British title victory, McCloskey was named Boxer of the Year at the Irish National Boxing Awards in January 2009.
On 13 March, McCloskey retained his British light-welterweight title in emphatic fashion with a fourth-round stoppage of Dean Harrison in Widnes.
McCloskey won the vacant European light welterweight title on 6 November 2009, when he defeated Spanish boxer Daniel Rasilla after original opponent and champion Mbaye withdrew due to injury.
McCloskey defended his European title against Giuseppe Lauri from Italy on 11 June at the Kings Hall, Belfast, with an 11th round knockout.
McCloskey's next defence of his European title was against Barry Morrison
Barry Morrison
Barry Morrison, is a Scottish professional boxer who fights in the light welterweight division.He is a former British light welterweight champion.-Professional career:...
in Letterkenny
Letterkenny
Letterkenny , with a population of 17,568, is the largest town in County Donegal, part of the Province of Ulster in Ireland. The town is located on the River Swilly...
, County Donegal
County Donegal
County Donegal is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Ulster. It is named after the town of Donegal. Donegal County Council is the local authority for the county...
, on 2 October 2010. McCloskey won the fight with a seventh round stoppage of his Scottish opponent.
His third defense of the title would've been against second Italian challenger, Michele Di Rocco on March 5, 2011.
Michele Di Rocco has a record of (21-1-1) with 12 kos and his only loss was by knockout in the 7th round against Giuseppe Lauri, whom McCloskey knocked out in the 11th round. But this match has been cancelled due to the Khan fight being worked out.
McCloskey vs. Khan
He was defeated by Amir KhanAmir Khan (boxer)
Amir Iqbal Khan , is a British Pakistani professional boxer who is currently the unified WBA & IBF light welterweight champion....
at the Manchester Evening News Arena
Manchester Evening News Arena
The Manchester Evening News Arena is an indoor arena situated in Manchester, England. It is adjacent to Manchester Victoria station near Corporation Street...
on Saturday 16 April 2011 when the fight was stopped in the sixth round. This was the result of an accidental head clash which left McCloskey with a cut above his eye.
McCloskey vs. Prescott
McCloskey won his fight against Breidis PrescottBreidis Prescott
Breidis Enrique Prescott Consuegra is a Colombian lightweight boxer. He has a reputation as a devastating puncher, with 19 of his 24 wins by way of knockout, with all coming in the first three rounds....
in a world title eliminator on 10 September 2011 by unanimous decision, with two judges scoring the bout 114-113, and the third judge scoring it 115-113. During the fight Prescott dominated the early rounds, scoring a knockdown in the first round by clearly pushing his with his forearm and later breaking McCloskey nose which bleed heavily throughout the fight. However, McCloskey rallied in the second half of the fight and dominated Prescott in the latter rounds. McCloskey will now look to fight for the world title against hard hitting Argentenian Marcos Rene Maidana, or possibly set up an eagerly anticipated re-match with Amir Khan.
Professional boxing record
| style="text-align:center;" colspan="8"|23 Wins (12 Knockouts), 1 Defeat, 0 Draws|- style="text-align:center; background:#e3e3e3;"
| style="border-style:none none solid solid; "|Res.
| style="border-style:none none solid solid; "|Record
| style="border-style:none none solid solid; "|Opponent
| style="border-style:none none solid solid; "|Type
| style="border-style:none none solid solid; "|Rd., Time
| style="border-style:none none solid solid; "|Date
| style="border-style:none none solid solid; "|Location
| style="border-style:none none solid solid; "|Notes
|- align=center
|Win
|23-1
|align=left|
Colombia Breidis PrescottBreidis Prescott
Breidis Enrique Prescott Consuegra is a Colombian lightweight boxer. He has a reputation as a devastating puncher, with 19 of his 24 wins by way of knockout, with all coming in the first three rounds....
|
|
|
|align=left|
|align=left|
|- align=center
|Loss
|22-1
|align=left|
Kingdom of England Amir KhanAmir Khan (boxer)
Amir Iqbal Khan , is a British Pakistani professional boxer who is currently the unified WBA & IBF light welterweight champion....
|
|
|
|align=left|
|align=left|
|- align=center
|Win
|22-0
|align=left|
Kingdom of Scotland Barry MorrisonBarry Morrison
Barry Morrison, is a Scottish professional boxer who fights in the light welterweight division.He is a former British light welterweight champion.-Professional career:...
|
|
|
|align=left|
|align=left|
|- align=center
|Win
|21-0
|align=left|
Italy Giuseppe Lauri|
|
|
|align=left|
|align=left|
|- align=center
|Win
|20-0
|align=left|
Spain Daniel Rasilla|
|
|
|align=left|
|align=left|
|- align=center
|Win
|19-0
|align=left|
Kingdom of England Dean Harrison|
|
|
|align=left|
|align=left|
|- align=center
|Win
|18-0
|align=left|
Kingdom of England Colin LynesColin Lynes
Colin Lynes is a British professional boxer from Hornchurch in London. He is a former IBO World, British and European champion at light welterweight and is the reigning British champion at welterweight.-Early Professional Career:...
|
|
|
|align=left|
|align=left|
|- align=center
|Win
|17-0
|align=left|
Kingdom of England Nigel WrightNigel Wright (boxer)
Nigel Wright is a professional boxer, fighting out of Crook, England. He is a southpaw fighter standing at , with a record of 22-6-1, with 9 KOs and is a three-time English light welterweight champion and a two-time challenger for both the British and the Commonwealth titles.-Early professional...
|
|
|
|align=left|
|align=left|
|- align=center
|Win
|16-0
|align=left|
Mexico César BazánCesar Bazan
César Bazán Pérez is a former professional boxer in the Light Welterweight division and is the former WBC Lightweight Champion.-Professional career:...
|
|
|
|align=left|
|align=left|
|- align=center
|Win
|15-0
|align=left|
Mexico Manuel GarnicaManuel Garnica
Hector Manuel Garnica Venegas is a Mexican professional boxer in the Light Welterweight division...
|
|
|
|align=left|
|align=left|
|- align=center
|Win
|14-0
|align=left|
Kingdom of Bulgaria Tontcho TontchevTontcho Tontchev
Toncho Dimitrov Tonchev is an Bulgarian boxer, who won the Lightweight Silver medal at the 1996 Summer Olympics. Tontchev also represented his native country at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain....
|
|
|
|align=left|
|align=left|
|- align=center
|Win
|13-0
|align=left|
Poland Dariusz Snarski|
|
|
|align=left|
|align=left|
|- align=center
|Win
|12-0
|align=left|
Italy Alfredo Di Feto|
|
|
|align=left|
|align=left|
|- align=center
|Win
|11-0
|align=left|
Argentina Ivan Orlando Bustos |
|
|
|align=left|
|align=left|
|- align=center
|Win
|10-0
|align=left|
Kingdom of England Chill John|
|
|
|align=left|
|align=left|
|- align=center
|Win
|9-0
|align=left|
Kingdom of Romania Eugen Stan|
|
|
|align=left|
|align=left|
|- align=center
|Win
|8-0
|align=left|
Nigeria Silence Saheed|
|
|
|align=left|
|align=left|
|- align=center
|Win
|7-0
|align=left|
Kingdom of England Daniel Thorpe |
|
|
|align=left|
|align=left|
|- align=center
|Win
|6-0
|align=left|
Kingdom of England Surinder Sekhon|
|
|
|align=left|
|align=left|
|- align=center
|Win
|5-0
|align=left|
Kingdom of England Duncan Cottier|
|
|
|align=left|
|align=left|
|- align=center
|Win
|4-0
|align=left|
Wales Henry Janes|
|
|
|align=left|
|align=left|
|- align=center
|Win
|3-0
|align=left|
Kingdom of England Billy Smith|
|
|
|align=left|
|align=left|
|- align=center
|Win
|2-0
|align=left|
Lithuania Oscar Milkitas|
|
|
|align=left|
|align=left|
|- align=center
|Win
|1-0
|align=left|
Kingdom of England David Kehoe|
|
|
|align=left|
|align=left|