On June 8, 1985, a 24-year-old Barry McGuigan (26-1, 23 KOs) got a shot at the WBA and The Ring featherweight titles held by 29-year-old Panamanian boxer Eusebio Pedroza (38-3-1, 24 KOs).
McGuigan came in to the fight on a 24-fight win streak with a 85% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 2 months and 13 days. Pedroza was on a 5-fight win streak with a 57% KO rate, and fighting after a layoff of 4 months and 6 days.
Barry McGuigan defeated Eusebio Pedroza via unanimous decision and wins the WBA and The Ring titles — in his first world-title fight. McGuigan improves his record to 27-1, while Pedroza adds a loss to his record at 38-4-1.
On September 28, 1985, the 24-year-old WBA and The Ring featherweight world champion, Barry McGuigan (27-1, 23 KOs), faced Bernard Taylor, in a title defense fight.
McGuigan came in to the fight on a 25-fight win streak with a 82% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 3 months and 20 days.
The challenger refused to continue the fight in the 8th round, and Barry McGuigan is crowned the new featherweight world champion. McGuigan improves his record to 28-1 (24 KOs)
On February 15, 1986, the 24-year-old WBA and The Ring featherweight world champion, Barry McGuigan (28-1, 24 KOs), faced Danilo Cabrera, in a title defense fight.
McGuigan came in to the fight on a 26-fight win streak with a 82% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 4 months and 18 days.
Barry McGuigan stopped Danilo Cabrera via TKO in the 14th round of the 15-round world-title fight, and successfully defended his WBA and The Ring featherweight titles. McGuigan improves his record to 29-1 (25 KOs)
On November 16, 1983, a 22-year-old Barry McGuigan (17-1, 15 KOs) and Valerio Nati met in the ring in a featherweight bout.
McGuigan came in to the fight on a 15-fight win streak with a 83% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 1 month and 11 days.
Barry McGuigan stopped Valerio Nati via KO in the 6th round. McGuigan improves his record to 18-1 (16 KOs)
On March 26, 1985, a 24-year-old Barry McGuigan (25-1, 22 KOs) and Farid Gallouze met in the ring in a featherweight bout.
McGuigan came in to the fight on a 23-fight win streak with a 84% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 1 month and 3 days.
Barry McGuigan stopped Farid Gallouze via TKO in the 2nd round. McGuigan improves his record to 26-1 (23 KOs)
On April 12, 1983, a 22-year-old Barry McGuigan (13-1, 11 KOs) and Vernon Penprase met in the ring in a featherweight bout.
McGuigan came in to the fight on a 11-fight win streak with a 78% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 5 months and 3 days.
Barry McGuigan stopped Vernon Penprase via TKO in the 2nd round. McGuigan improves his record to 14-1 (12 KOs)
On June 5, 1984, a 23-year-old Barry McGuigan (20-1, 18 KOs) and Esteban Eguia met in the ring in a featherweight bout.
McGuigan came in to the fight on a 18-fight win streak with a 85% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 2 months and 1 day.
Barry McGuigan stopped Esteban Eguia via KO in the 3rd round. McGuigan improves his record to 21-1 (19 KOs)
On December 19, 1984, a 23-year-old Barry McGuigan (23-1, 21 KOs) and Clyde Ruan met in the ring in a featherweight bout.
McGuigan came in to the fight on a 21-fight win streak with a 87% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 2 months and 6 days.
Barry McGuigan stopped Clyde Ruan via KO in the 4th round. McGuigan improves his record to 24-1 (22 KOs)
On June 23, 1986, the 25-year-old WBA and The Ring featherweight world champion, Barry McGuigan (29-1, 25 KOs), faced a 22-year-old American boxer Steve Cruz (25-1, 13 KOs), in a title defense fight.
McGuigan came in to the fight on a 27-fight win streak with a 83% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 4 months and 8 days. Cruz was on a 6-fight win streak with a 50% KO rate, and fighting after a layoff of 4 months and 16 days.
Steve Cruz defeated Barry McGuigan via unanimous decision and wins the WBA and The Ring titles — in his first world-title fight. Cruz improves his record to 26-1, while McGuigan adds a loss to his record at 29-2.
On July 9, 1983, a 22-year-old Barry McGuigan (15-1, 13 KOs) and Lavon McGowan met in the ring.
McGuigan came in to the fight on a 13-fight win streak with a 81% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 1 month and 17 days.
Barry McGuigan stopped Lavon McGowan via KO in the 1st round. McGuigan improves his record to 16-1 (14 KOs)