\n<\/p>\n
After British and Commonwealth bantamweight title defeats, Maguire would avenge a previous loss against David Needham in 1975 to get his hands on the Lonsdale Belt – and in the build-up, reunited with Ali at Wembley.<\/p>\n
In August 1977, they met again in the Grosvenor House Hotel for a testimonial in honour of Ali’s friend Paddy Monaghan, the Fermanagh-born bare-knuckle boxer.<\/p>\n
By then, Maguire had drawn with European champion Daniel Trioulaire, while a second crack at the title brought a loss to Franco Zurlo before defeat by Johnny Owen proved his final stand.<\/p>\n
“There were ups and down,” Maguire says of his career, “but it’s one I’m proud of.”<\/p>\n
While his days in the ring were over, he would remain connected to the sport, serving as a member of the British Boxing Board of Control’s Northern Ireland Council.<\/p>\n
On Saturday, Maguire will watch from home as Taylor, a trailblazer for women’s boxing, makes the same walk as Ali.<\/p>\n
“I’ve had the opportunity to tell my kids and grandchildren about my time there, so for those boxing this time, they can do the same one day,” he said.<\/p>\n
“Katie Taylor has had a great career and deserves her big night, but hopefully it’s not another 50 years before boxing’s back in Croke Park.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n