Rinty Monaghan

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

John Joseph "Rinty" Monaghan (21 August 1920 in Belfast - 3 March 1984) was a former world flyweight boxing champion from Belfast. From its Sailortown district, he became famous in the post-war period, eventually rising to become undisputed world champion and a hero to the people of Belfast.

A noted fighter at boys' level, he entered the paid ranks in his mid-teens. After a short period of 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. Almost forty years later, Barry McGuigan was to attract an adoring following to the same venue.

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 on 23 March l948. Paterson was to prove one of the Belfast man's major adversaries.

Monaghan also 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.

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. He later had a variety of jobs but remained true to his working-class roots and stayed in Belfast. He died at his home in Little Corporation St in March 1984, at the relatively young age of 63.

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.^[1]

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 that was unveiled, in the presenced of many of his family circle and friends, on May 3, 2007.