On This Day: August 3rd

1896: Limerick’s Jim Dalton outpointed Dubliner Mick Head over twenty rounds to claim the inaugural Irish lightweight title at the Ancient Concert Rooms in Dublin.

1981: In just his third pro fight Barry McGuigan suffered a shock loss to journeyman Peter Eubank (older brother of Chris).

Eubank was 3(0)-4(1) at the time of the fight in front of his home crowd at the Corn Exchange in Brighton, but outhussled the Monaghan future World Champion to take a points win over eight rounds (78.5-78).

McGuigan disagreed with the decision and was able to exert revenge four months later when the two rematched in Belfast, with the Clones Cyclone scoring a stoppage in the eighth and final round.