Eamonn Loughran
Encyclopedia
Eamonn Loughran born in Ballymena
, Northern Ireland
is a former professional boxer
who fought in the light welterweight
divisions.
, Loughran boxed for Ireland
and won a silver medal
at the 1987 World Junior Boxing Championships
in Havana
, Cuba
defeating the Cuba
n and American
fighters on the way to the final. Loughran then turned professional later that year.
and, in December 1987, fought his first professional fight at the Ulster Hall
, Belfast, County Antrim
, Northern Ireland, in which he beat Glaswegian
Adam Muir on a card that included Dave "Boy" McAuley
and Andy Holligan.
It was five years, during which he fought twenty professional fights, before Loughran challenged for his first title belt.
Loughran is a former Commonwealth
Light Welterweight
Title holder and won the WBO Welterweight
Title and lost on his sixth defence in the first round to José Luis Lopez
in March 1996 after which Loughran announced his retirement.
Ballymena
Ballymena is a large town in County Antrim, Northern Ireland and the seat of Ballymena Borough Council. Ballymena had a population of 28,717 people in the 2001 Census....
, Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
is a former professional boxer
Professional Boxing
Professional boxing, or prizefighting, emerged in the early twentieth century as boxing gradually attained legitimacy and became a regulated, sanctioned sport. Professional boxing bouts are fought for a purse which is divided among the fighters and promoters as determined by contract...
who fought in the light welterweight
Light welterweight
-Professional boxing:The light welterweight class is a weight division in professional boxing that has a limit of 63.5 kg or 140 pounds...
divisions.
Amateur career
As an amateurAmateur boxing
Amateur boxing is practised at the collegiate level, at the Olympic Games and Commonwealth Games, and in many other venues sponsored by amateur boxing associations. Amateur boxing bouts are short in duration and fighters wear head protection, so this type of competition prizes point-scoring rather...
, Loughran boxed for Ireland
Irish Amateur Boxing Association
The Irish Amateur Boxing Association is the governing body of amateur boxing in Ireland. It was founded in 1911 following a meeting in Dublin.-Structure:...
and won a silver medal
Silver medal
A silver medal is a medal awarded to the second place finisher of contests such as the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, and contests with similar formats....
at the 1987 World Junior Boxing Championships
World Amateur Boxing Championships
The World Amateur Boxing Championships is a biennial amateur boxing competition organised by the International Boxing Association , which is the sport governing body. Alongside the Olympic boxing programme, it is the highest level of competition for the sport...
in Havana
Havana
Havana is the capital city, province, major port, and leading commercial centre of Cuba. The city proper has a population of 2.1 million inhabitants, and it spans a total of — making it the largest city in the Caribbean region, and the most populous...
, Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
defeating the Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
n and American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
fighters on the way to the final. Loughran then turned professional later that year.
Professional career
Loughran fought out of the Breen Gym in BelfastBelfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
and, in December 1987, fought his first professional fight at the Ulster Hall
Ulster Hall
The Ulster Hall is a concert hall and grade B1 listed building in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Situated on Bedford Street in Belfast city centre, the hall hosts concerts, classical recitals, craft fairs and political party conferences...
, Belfast, County Antrim
County Antrim
County Antrim is one of six counties that form Northern Ireland, situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland. Adjoined to the north-east shore of Lough Neagh, the county covers an area of 2,844 km², with a population of approximately 616,000...
, Northern Ireland, in which he beat Glaswegian
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
Adam Muir on a card that included Dave "Boy" McAuley
Dave McAuley
Dave McAuley, born 15 June 1961 in Larne, Northern Ireland is a former professional boxer. During his professional career he held the IBF world title in the Flyweight category. He was arguably the Irelands greatest ever Flyweight.-Boxing career:...
and Andy Holligan.
It was five years, during which he fought twenty professional fights, before Loughran challenged for his first title belt.
Loughran is a former Commonwealth
Commonwealth of Nations
The Commonwealth of Nations, normally referred to as the Commonwealth and formerly known as the British Commonwealth, is an intergovernmental organisation of fifty-four independent member states...
Light Welterweight
Light welterweight
-Professional boxing:The light welterweight class is a weight division in professional boxing that has a limit of 63.5 kg or 140 pounds...
Title holder and won the WBO Welterweight
Welterweight
Welterweight is a weight class division in combat sports. Originally the term "welterweight" was used only in boxing, but other combat sports like kickboxing, taekwondo and mixed martial arts also began to use it for their own weight division system...
Title and lost on his sixth defence in the first round to José Luis Lopez
José Luis López
José Luis López may refer to:*José Luis López Aranguren, Spanish philosopher, see Prince of Asturias Awards*José Luis López Rubio or José López Rubio, Spanish film writer and director...
in March 1996 after which Loughran announced his retirement.