Ali 'The Greatest' but Maguire the latest to win in Croke Park
With Katie Taylor set to be the first boxer to headline Croke Park since Muhammad Ali beat Al 'Blue' Lewis in 1972, BBC Sport NI catches up with Paddy Maguire, who was last to box on that iconic night.
On 19 July 1972, Croke Park witnessed an unexpected spectacle as boxing took center stage, with boxing legend Muhammad Ali taking on Al Blue Lewis. It had been 54 years since Ali graced the hallowed turf of Croke Park when Belfast boxer Paddy Maguire made his final appearance in the stadium. Maguire, who had previously won a silver medal at the 1966 Commonwealth Games, found himself fighting Guy Caudron from France.
Although his boxing career was marked by both triumphs and challenges, Maguire's most memorable experience was sharing the bill with Ali, a moment he fondly recalled. Despite the financial difficulties of securing fight gloves and a chaotic start to the undercard, Maguire's encounter with Ali remains etched in his memory. Maguire's connection with Ali continued years later when they reunited at a testimonial event for their mutual friend, Paddy Monaghan.
Today, Maguire will be among the spectators as Katie Taylor, the trailblazing light-welterweight champion, takes the ring at Croke Park, hoping to inspire future generations of Irish boxers.
Written by urgent.news from BBC Sport's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
