On This Day: June 25th
2011: Matthew Macklin was controversially denied a World title in Cologne, Germany. The Tipperary Tornado took on champ Felix Sturm in his own back yard and put on a brilliant performance. However, despite even German TV feeling he won the bout, Macklin was edged out on a split decision (112-116 x2, 115-113).
1923: Clare’s Mike McTigue defended his newly-won World light heavyweight title for the first time against Tommy Loughran. McTigue’s belt was only under threat if he lost inside the eight rounds, which he didn’t, but newspapers at the time deemed Loughran to have gotten the better of the clash at Shetzline Ballpark in Philadelphia.
2011: Cork’s Gary O’Sullivan flattened Dubliner Robbie Long within a round at the National Stadium to defend his Irish middleweight title.
1948: Dubliner Gerry McDermott knocked Tipp’s Paddy Quirke down thrice in the second round to force a stoppage at Tolka Park and claim the Irish heavyweight title. McDermott would lose the belt in his first defence to Paddy Slavin.
2010: Following their hugely controversial first bout, Tyson Fury scored a decisive ninth round knockout win over Big John McDermott in Brentwood to reclaim the English heavyweight title.
