This is an exciting discovery for any Irish boxing fans – the complete contest of the legendary fight between two Belfast boxers, Freddie Gilroy and Johnny Caldwell. The fight has long been described as the greatest to ever take place on Irish soil and was fought on 20 October 1962 at Belfast’s King’s Hall.
Gilroy won the bronze medal at bantamweight at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics, held the British, British Empire and European Bantamweight titles at various points and had fought for the world title in 1960. Caldwell was also a bronze medallist at the same Olympics, but at flyweight. He won the British title at the same weight and then moved up to bantamweight where he became European and World Champion in 1961. He would lose his title in 1962 to the legendary Eder Jofre in Brazil and the all-Belfast clash was set up. At stake were the British and British Empire bantamweight titles and the hope that the winner would get a shot at Jofre for the world title.
We won’t tell you the outcome in order not to spoil your viewing experience, allowing you to watch this famous fight, complete with interviews afterwards, unfold as if you were watching it live.