Rinty monaghan biography of martin

John Joseph Monaghan 21 August — 3 March 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.

Martin Lynch.

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.

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 His final fight came in September when he drew with Londoner Terry Allen. By the time that a long-standing chest complaint forced his retirement as champion in , 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. 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.

Monaghan married Frances Thompson in 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. Monaghan died at his home in Little Corporation St on 3 March , at the relatively young age of He is buried in Belfast City Cemetery.