Dave McAuley


David Anthony "Dave" McAuley, MBE is a former professional boxer from Northern Ireland who competed from 1983 to 1992. He held the IBF flyweight title from 1989 to 1992, and challenged twice for the WBA flyweight title in 1987 and 1988. At regional level, he held the British flyweight title in 1986.

Boxing career

McAuley fought under the name Dave "Boy" McAuley, and was one of the last Irish boxers to fight for a world title over 15 rounds. His two epic fights against Fidel Bassa were both voted "Fight of the Year", in 1986 and 1987 respectively. He defeated Duke McKenzie for the IBF title. He defended his recognised IBF World Title and became the most successful Irish fighter post-war with a recognised IBF World Title.
Among his most famous bouts were two brutal encounters with Colombian Fidel Bassa at Belfast's King's Hall. In 1989 McAuley won the IBF title from Duke McKenzie. He successfully defended his title five times, eventually losing it to Rodolfo Blanco in 1992, whom he had beaten two years previously.
McAuley was unusual for a flyweight in that he was extremely tall for someone in the flyweight division, standing at 5'7". He was one of Ireland's most under-rated boxers, and was poorly treated by various promoters and media after his loss to Blanco.

Broadcasting career

McAuley works as a commentator for Irish television station Raidió Teilifís Éireann on their boxing coverage.

Comeback

McAuley was almost tempted out of retirement on more than one occasion, right up to the mid-1990s. He was rumoured to be training for a comeback fight with Prince Naseem Hamed in 1994, but the bout eventually fell through over contractual issues.

Poker

McAuley recently took part in a celebrity boxing poker tournament organised by partypoker.com however being an amateur in this sport was put out first after going "all in" with ace two off suit. In 2009, he was back in Poker Super Stars and got through to the final table in London.

Other activities

McAuley runs a hotel in Ballygalley, near Larne, County Antrim.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
23Loss18–3–2 Rodolfo BlancoUD1211 Jun 1992Bilboa, Spain.png" />Lost IBF flyweight title
22Win18–2–2 Jacob MatlalaKO10 7 Sep 1991Leisure Centre, Belfast, Northern Ireland.png" />Retained IBF flyweight title
21Win17–2–2 Pedro Jose FelicianoUD1211 May 1991Retained IBF flyweight title
20Win16–2–2 Rodolfo BlancoUD1215 Sep 1990King's Hall, Belfast, Northern Ireland.png" />Retained IBF flyweight title
19Win15–2–2 Louis CurtisUD1217 Mar 1990Retained IBF flyweight title
18Win14–2–2 Dodie Boy Penalosa128 Nov 1989Retained IBF flyweight title
17Win13–2–2 Duke McKenzieUD127 Jun 1989The Arena, London, England.png" />Won IBF flyweight title
16Loss12–2–2 Fidel Bassa1226 Mar 1988For WBA flyweight title
15Win12–1–2 Roy ThompsonPTS107 Dec 1987Ulster Hall, Belfast, Northern Ireland.png" />
14Loss11–1–2 Fidel BassaTKO13 25 Apr 1987For WBA flyweight title
13Win11–0–2 Joe KellyTKO9 20 Oct 1986Glasgow, Scotland.png" />Won vacant British flyweight title
12Win10–0–2 Charlie BrownTKO1 22 Apr 1986
11Win9–0–2 Kelvin Smart6 15 Feb 1986RDS Arena, Dublin, Ireland.png" />Smart disqualified for intentional low blows
10Win8–0–2 Bobby McDermottTKO10 8 Jun 1985Loftus Road, London, England.png" />
9Win7–0–2 Johnny MackTKO1 3 Feb 1985
8Win6–0–2 Graham ClarkeTKO4 19 Dec 1984
7Win5–0–2 Dave George6 13 Nov 1984
6Win4–0–2 John MwaimuPTS613 Oct 1984
5Win3–0–2 Roy WilliamsPTS617 Sep 1984Corn Exchange, Brighton, England
4Draw2–0–2 Kenny WalshPTS627 Feb 1984Birmingham, England.png" />
3Win2–0–1 Ian Colbeck625 Jan 1984
2Win1–0–1 Dave Smith1 16 Nov 1983
1Draw0–0–1 John Mwaimu65 Oct 1983