Rinty Monaghan

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Rinty Monaghan
Born
John Joseph Monaghan

(1918-08-21)21 August 1918
Belfast, Northern Ireland
Died3 March 1984(1984-03-03) (aged 65)
Belfast, Northern Ireland
NationalityIrish
Other namesRinty
The Singing Irishman
Statistics
Weight(s)Flyweight
Height5 ft 3 in (1.60 m)
Reach64 in (163 cm)
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights69
Wins52
Wins by KO19
Losses9
Draws8

John Joseph Monaghan (21 August 1918 – 3 March 1984) was a world flyweight boxing champion from Belfast. He became famous in the post-war period, eventually rising to become undisputed world champion and a hero to many people in his home city.

Boxing career[edit]

Born in Lancaster Street in North Belfast, Monaghan attended St Patrick's Christian Brothers' School in Donegall St. A noted fighter at boys' level, he entered the paid ranks in his mid-teens. After a short absence for wartime service, Monaghan resumed his career and his burgeoning reputation drew huge crowds from all parts of his home city. In particular, bouts at Belfast's King's Hall were the highlight with that venue normally packed to the rafters.

In October 1947, the National Boxing Association world crown became his after outpointing the American, Dado Marino at Harringay Stadium for the vacant title. The mantle of undisputed champion of the world rested on his shoulders after his defeat of the tough Scottish fighter Jackie Paterson by knock-out in the King's Hall on 23 March 1948.[1] Paterson was to prove one of the Belfast man's major adversaries.

In April 1949 he retained his World title, and became European champion, by dispatching Frenchman Maurice Sandeyron.

His final fight came in September 1949 when he drew with Londoner Terry Allen. By the time that a long-standing chest complaint forced his retirement as champion in 1950, Monaghan's trophy-cabinet contained the British, European, Commonwealth and World crowns. Of the 66 official bouts he fought during his successful career, he lost only nine and drew six. Monaghan endeared himself to his supporters after his fights by singing When Irish Eyes are Smiling to the King's Hall audience, which joined in the singing.[2]

Life outside boxing[edit]

A part-time cabaret artist, Monaghan toured western Europe during World War II with other notables of the period, including Vera Lynn, Gracie Fields and George Formby, and later formed his own band.[3]

His nickname "Rinty" came from his fondness for dogs. According to his daughter Martha, he brought home injured dogs so often that his grandmother called him Rin Tin Tin, after the film dog, and shortened it to Rinty.[4]

Monaghan married Frances Thompson in 1938 and moved to the nearby district of "Little Italy", close to Sailortown. He had three daughters, Martha, Rosetta and Collette, and one son, Sean. The money Monaghan had made from boxing did not set him up for a comfortable retirement, and he had to work in a variety of jobs.[5] But he remained true to his working-class roots and stayed in Belfast. Monaghan died at his home in Little Corporation St on 3 March 1984, at the relatively young age of 65. He is buried in Belfast City Cemetery.[6]

To mark the influence of this "home-town hero", the Ulster History Circle and Belfast City Council provided a plaque in his honour at the King's Hall. It was unveiled, in the presence of many of his family circle and friends, on 3 May 2007.

Belfast City Council erected a statue to Monaghan at Cathedral Gardens on 20 August 2015. Designed by Alan Beattie Herriot, this 10-foot high bronze statue on a granite plinth features Monaghan holding a microphone and singing "When Irish Eyes are Smiling".[7]


Professional boxing record[edit]

69 fights 52 wins 9 losses
By knockout 20 1
By decision 31 7
By disqualification 1 1
Draws 8
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round Date Age Location Notes
69 Draw 52–9–8 Terry Allen PTS 15 Sep 30, 1949 31 years, 40 days Kings Hall, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK Retained NBA, Lonsdale, European, and The Ring flyweight titles
68 Win 52–9–7 Otello Belardinelli PTS 10 Aug 19, 1949 30 years, 363 days Hippodrome, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
67 Win 51–9–7 Maurice Sandeyron PTS 15 Apr 5, 1949 30 years, 227 days Kings Hall, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK Retained NBA, Lonsdale, and The Ring flyweight titles;
Won European flyweight title
66 Loss 50–9–7 Terry Allen PTS 8 Feb 7, 1949 30 years, 170 days Villa Park, Birmingham, West Midlands, England, UK
65 Win 50–8–7 Charlie Squire TKO 7 (10) Jun 28, 1948 29 years, 312 days Villa Park, Birmingham, West Midlands, England, UK
64 Win 49–8–7 Jackie Paterson KO 7 (15) Mar 23, 1948 29 years, 215 days Kings Hall, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK Retained NBA flyweight title;
Won Lonsdale and The Ring flyweight titles
63 Win 48–8–7 Dado Marino PTS 15 Oct 20, 1947 29 years, 60 days Harringay Arena, England, UK Won vacant NBA flyweight title
62 Loss 47–8–7 Dado Marino DQ 9 (10) Jul 16, 1947 28 years, 329 days Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland, UK Monaghan DQ'd for persistent holding
61 Win 47–7–7 Emile Famechon PTS 8 Jul 1, 1947 28 years, 314 days Olympia, London, England, UK
60 Win 46–7–7 Terry Allen TKO 1 (10) Mar 11, 1947 28 years, 202 days Seymour Hall, London, England, UK
59 Win 45–7–7 Sammy Reynolds DQ 8 (10) Sep 24, 1946 28 years, 34 days Kings Hall, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK Reynolds DQ'd for low blow
58 Win 44–7–7 Alex Murphy PTS 8 Sep 11, 1946 28 years, 21 days Kelvin Hall, Glasgow, Scotland, UK
57 Win 43–7–7 Jackie Paterson RTD 7 (10) Jun 7, 1946 27 years, 290 days Kings Hall, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
56 Win 42–7–7 Tommy Burney PTS 8 Apr 4, 1946 27 years, 226 days The Stadium, Liverpool, Merseyside, England, UK
55 Win 41–7–7 Bunty Doran KO 4 (15) Nov 6, 1945 27 years, 77 days Kings Hall, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK Won BBBofC Northern Ireland Area flyweight title
54 Loss 40–7–7 Joe Curran PTS 10 Oct 18, 1945 27 years, 58 days The Stadium, Liverpool, Merseyside, England, UK
53 Win 40–6–7 Tommy Burney PTS 10 Sep 13, 1945 27 years, 23 days The Stadium, Liverpool, Merseyside, England, UK
52 Win 39–6–7 Joe 'Boy' Collins PTS 10 Feb 9, 1945 26 years, 172 days Theatre Royal, Dublin, Ireland
51 Win 38–6–7 Joe Meikle KO 2 (8) Oct 14, 1943 25 years, 54 days Ulster Hall, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
50 Loss 37–6–7 Ike Weir PTS 10 Jul 13, 1943 24 years, 326 days Ulster Hall, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
49 Draw 37–5–7 Harry Rogers PTS 8 Feb 6, 1943 24 years, 169 days Ulster Hall, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
48 Win 37–5–6 Joe Meikle PTS 8 Dec 26, 1942 24 years, 127 days Rialto, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
47 Loss 36–5–6 Jimmy Gill PTS 10 Mar 20, 1940 21 years, 212 days New St James Hall, Newcastle, Tyne and Wear, England, UK
46 Win 36–4–6 Tommy Stewart PTS 8 Mar 4, 1940 21 years, 196 days Ulster Hall, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
45 Loss 35–4–6 Paddy Ryan PTS 10 Jan 10, 1940 21 years, 142 days New St James Hall, Newcastle, Tyne and Wear, England, UK
44 Win 35–3–6 Seaman Chetty PTS 10 Nov 8, 1939 21 years, 79 days New St James Hall, Newcastle, Tyne and Wear, England, UK
43 Win 34–3–6 Billy Ashton PTS 8 Jul 20, 1939 20 years, 333 days The Stadium, Liverpool, Merseyside, England, UK
42 Win 33–3–6 Tommy Stewart PTS 8 Jun 28, 1939 20 years, 311 days Kings Hall, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
41 Win 32–3–6 Sammy Reynolds PTS 10 Mar 20, 1939 20 years, 211 days New St James Hall, Newcastle, Tyne and Wear, England, UK
40 Win 31–3–6 Joe Curran KO 5 (10) Feb 27, 1939 20 years, 190 days New St James Hall, Newcastle, Tyne and Wear, England, UK
39 Loss 30–3–6 Tommy Stewart PTS 10 Sep 2, 1938 20 years, 12 days Belfast Sports Stadium, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
38 Win 30–2–6 Joe Curran PTS 8 Aug 11, 1938 19 years, 355 days The Stadium, Liverpool, Merseyside, England, UK
37 Loss 29–2–6 Jackie Paterson KO 5 (8) Jul 23, 1938 19 years, 336 days The Oval (Glentoran FC), Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
36 Win 29–1–6 Joe Kiely KO 2 (10) Jul 2, 1938 19 years, 315 days The Oval (Glentoran FC), Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
35 Win 28–1–6 Ivor Neil KO 2 (8) Jun 18, 1938 19 years, 301 days The Oval (Glentoran FC), Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
34 Win 27–1–6 Peter Peters KO 1 (10) May 27, 1938 19 years, 279 days Belfast Sports Stadium, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
33 Win 26–1–6 Battling Joe McCluskey PTS 10 May 6, 1938 19 years, 258 days Belfast Sports Stadium, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
32 Win 25–1–6 Cyclone Kelly PTS 10 Apr 15, 1938 19 years, 237 days Belfast Sports Stadium, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
31 Win 24–1–6 Cyclone Kelly PTS 10 Mar 31, 1938 19 years, 222 days The Stadium, Liverpool, Merseyside, England, UK
30 Win 23–1–6 Spider Allen KO 2 (10) Mar 1, 1938 19 years, 192 days Cuba Street Sports Stadium, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
29 Win 22–1–6 Pat Murphy TKO 4 (10) Feb 4, 1938 19 years, 167 days Belfast Sports Stadium, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
28 Win 21–1–6 Alf Hughes KO 9 (10) Jan 21, 1938 19 years, 153 days Belfast Sports Stadium, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
27 Win 20–1–6 Tommy Allen KO 5 (8) Dec 2, 1937 19 years, 103 days Kings Hall, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
26 Win 19–1–6 George Lang KO 1 (10) Nov 17, 1937 19 years, 88 days Chapel Fields Arena, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
25 Win 18–1–6 Paddy O'Toole TKO 4 (8) Oct 1, 1937 19 years, 41 days Belfast Sports Stadium, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
24 Win 17–1–6 Ted Meikle PTS 8 Sep 17, 1937 19 years, 27 days Belfast Sports Stadium, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
23 Win 16–1–6 Frank Benson TKO 6 (6) Aug 18, 1937 18 years, 362 days Chapel Fields Arena, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
22 Win 15–1–6 Ted Meikle TKO 4 (6) Aug 9, 1937 18 years, 353 days Chapel Fields Arena, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
21 Win 14–1–6 Ted Meikle PTS 6 Jul 13, 1937 18 years, 326 days Chapel Fields Arena, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
20 Win 13–1–6 Sam Ramsey PTS 6 Jul 7, 1937 18 years, 320 days Chapel Fields Arena, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
19 Win 12–1–6 Mick Gibbons PTS 6 Jun 21, 1937 18 years, 304 days Chapel Fields Arena, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
18 Win 11–1–6 Mick Gibbons PTS 6 May 10, 1937 18 years, 262 days Chapel Fields Arena, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
17 Loss 10–1–6 Jim Keery PTS 6 May 1, 1937 18 years, 253 days Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
16 Win 10–0–6 Joe Duffy PTS 6 Sep 18, 1936 18 years, 28 days Factory Arena, Larne, Northern Ireland, UK
15 Draw 9–0–6 Young Josephs PTS 6 Jul 24, 1936 17 years, 338 days Market Yard, Larne, Northern Ireland, UK
14 Draw 9–0–5 Jack McKenzie PTS 8 May 20, 1936 17 years, 273 days Chapel Fields Arena, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
13 Win 9–0–4 Young Josephs TKO 3 (6) May 16, 1936 17 years, 269 days Chapel Fields Arena, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
12 Win 8–0–4 Young Kelly PTS 6 Apr 8, 1936 17 years, 231 days Chapel Fields Arena, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
11 Win 7–0–4 Sam Ramsey PTS 6 Mar 28, 1936 17 years, 220 days Chapel Fields Arena, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
10 Draw 6–0–4 Sam Ramsey PTS 6 Mar 20, 1936 17 years, 212 days Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland, UK
9 Win 6–0–3 Young Josephs PTS 6 Feb 22, 1936 17 years, 185 days Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
8 Win 5–0–3 Sam Ramsey PTS 6 Jan 13, 1936 17 years, 145 days Chapel Fields Arena, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
7 Win 4–0–3 Young Finnegan PTS 6 Mar 29, 1935 16 years, 220 days The Ring, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
6 Win 3–0–3 Vic Large KO 4 (4) Feb 17, 1935 16 years, 180 days The Ring, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
5 Win 2–0–3 Jim Pedlow PTS 4 Dec 19, 1934 16 years, 120 days The Ring, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
4 Draw 1–0–3 Boy Ramsey PTS 4 Dec 5, 1934 16 years, 106 days The Ring, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
3 Draw 1–0–2 Boy Ramsey PTS 4 Sep 28, 1934 16 years, 38 days The Ring, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
2 Win 1–0–1 Jim Norney PTS 4 Apr 27, 1932 13 years, 250 days Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
1 Draw 0–0–1 Sam Ramsey PTS 4 Apr 13, 1932 13 years, 236 days Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Rinty Monaghan - Lineal Flyweight Champion". The Cyber Boxing Zone Encyclopedia.
  2. ^ 'Legends of Irish Boxing' Ireland's Eye
  3. ^ "Boxing legend's life story" Irish News (Belfast newspaper), 8 October 2008, p. 3
  4. ^ "Irish eyes are smiling again for hero Rinty" Irish News (Belfast newspaper), 3 May 2007, p. 13
  5. ^ 'John Joseph (Rinty) Monaghan (1918 - 1984): Boxer' Dictionary of Ulster Biography
  6. ^ "Belfast City Cemetery". Belfast City Council. Archived from the original on 27 January 2021. Retrieved 6 July 2021.
  7. ^ McAlister, Dan; Fitzmaurice, Maurice (20 August 2015). "Statue of boxing legend Rinty Monaghan unveiled in Belfast". Belfast Live. Archived from the original on 25 January 2021. Retrieved 6 July 2021.

External links[edit]

Achievements
Preceded by World Flyweight Champion
1948-03-23 – 1949-09-30 		Succeeded by

Further reading[edit]

  • Eamonn O'Hara, Rinty: the story of a champion (Belfast, 2008)
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