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<\/a>Exclusive Interview by Anthony \u201cZute\u201d George<\/strong><\/p>\nWhen Seamus McDonagh fought Evander Holyfield in 1990, he was center stage in the most grueling sport. He was also misrepresented. The Showtime crew falsely stated that Seamus was born and raised in Ireland. When he indeed was born in Birmingham, England. There, Seamus describes a \u201cbeautiful house\u201d that he and his six siblings lived in. During this time, Seamus\u2019 dad, Jim, boxed. It was Jim\u2019s sparring chronicles that led to his next move. While sparring, father Jim realized that he wanted to raise his family in Ireland, and that is where Seamus ended up at ten years old.<\/p>\n
Why did Showtime package Seamus as being born in Ireland? Perhaps it was just lazy journalism. Perhaps they felt it was a better story for the television. Why does it matter? Because these changes in scenery provided young Seamus with a taste of what class warfare looks like. \u201cWe went from living very comfortably in England to poverty in Ireland. The economy in Ireland was terrible. There wasn\u2019t much work. My dad was a construction worker, and there was not much work in his field. Things were rough,\u201d Seamus offered.<\/p>\n
Indeed, Ireland was an oppressed country. The McDonagh\u2019s were stuck right in the middle of the strife. Trying to figure out how to put a family to bed with full bellies. Which now consisted of eight children including Seamus. With that said, Seamus tells us that father Jim put his trade to use, \u201cMy dad built a house about a half-hour from Dublin.\u201d As is the case with many boxers, poverty did not deter the desire to pursue pugilism. In fact, being destitute just fed the belly of the beast more, \u201cMy dad started a boxing club in our town.\u201d For Jim McDonagh, the sweet science was not only a recreational activity. \u201cMy dad was obsessed with boxing. Obsessed. His father (Seamus\u2019 grandpa) was actually at the long-count fight between Gene Tunney and Jack Dempsey.\u201d<\/p>\n
The tradition of seeing legendary boxers in the flesh did not stop there for the McDonagh family. When Muhammad Ali fought Alvin \u201cBlue\u201d Lewis in 1972, the McDonagh\u2019s had a special treat. \u201cMy dad brought my brother and me to see Muhammad Ali training.\u201d Put the fiery McDonagh\u2019s in the same vicinity as The Greatest, and you are bound to get a get story, \u201cWe were sitting in the bleachers watching Muhammad Ali train. Ali sparred with a bunch of guys. He sparred with Joe Bugner. When he was done, he went to the dressing room. Ali came out of the dressing room and saw Al \u201cBlue\u201d Lewis training. Ali proceeded to put on a show. Carrying on, asking why Lewis was training there. Ali then starting throwing chairs around. He was joking, of course. But a chair fell right in front of us. So, my dad, joking around, threw a chair in their (Ali\u2019s) direction. The whole place went dead silent. Ali marched all the way over to us, and he and my dad both put their hands up. I was only ten years old, so I was like, \u2018Oh my God, what is going to happen?\u2019 But then my dad and Ali shared a laugh and hugged each other. That was my dad for you\u201d Seamus\u2019 early exposure to such tongue in cheek drama probably shaped his niche for the stage.<\/p>\n
It was not too long after that Seamus and his brother John were the central students at their father\u2019s boxing gym. St. Patrick\u2019s Boxing Gym was where the foundation began for what would become a successful run at the New York Golden Gloves in the United States of America, followed by twenty-three professional fights. Where Seamus was on the winning end nineteen times. John was also a very successful amateur boxer. Given the success of St. Patrick\u2019s, the accomplishments of the McDonagh brothers should not have come as a major surprise. \u201cWe soon became one of the best boxing gyms in the country,\u201d Seamus explained. The national titles in Ireland soon followed for Seamus. This success led to a trip to Chicago in the early 80s. Seamus tangled with Tom Scott in Chicago. According to Seamus, they had the best fight of the night.<\/p>\n
When a boxer makes that transition in boxing to the United States, there is nowhere to hide. Fighting in America provides pugilists with the ultimate exposure. And although boxing is a worldwide sport, you are often measured by how well you perform in front of Uncle Sam.<\/p>\n
It was not that long after Chicago that the entire McDonagh family relocated to Brooklyn, New York. A young man now, Seamus, had to work. He drove a horse and carriage in Manhattan. Seamus\u2019 penchant for the drink led him to many scuffles while driving a horse and carriage. The bad behavior bought on by drinking led to severe depression for Seamus. In 1984, his depression came to the point that you never want to see. But Seamus got to that point and tried to end his life with a bottle of pills. Making it through the next day, Seamus realized that he rather be on the right side of the grass and swore off drinking.<\/p>\n
Soon after, Seamus pursued a college education at St. John\u2019s University. That endeavor led to Seamus deciding that he wanted to give a try at the New York City Golden Gloves. When an individual works towards their sobriety, the best remedy is to try and become a person that your substance abuse would not recognize. Literacy and pugilism are ingredients that would shape such a person for Seamus.<\/p>\n
On two occasions, Seamus reached the quarterfinals at the Golden Gloves. He competed in the light heavyweight division. Not being able to get past the quarterfinals did not discourage Seamus. \u201cI thought I won both times.\u201d Seamus went on to compete in the heavyweight division and won in the novice competition.<\/p>\n
By now, Seamus realized he was going to fight as a professional. An important decision in any amateur\u2019s career. Seamus made another decision that some might find as surprising. He turned down a chance to train at Cus D\u2019Amato\u2019s famed Catskills Gym. It was an offer than came directly from D\u2019Amato. \u201cAt the time, I did not know who Cus D\u2019Amato was at the time. But I knew Floyd Patterson. I met Floyd in Ireland. So, when I heard Cus trained Floyd, I went up to see him. I met Cus. I met Mike (Tyson), and Cus made me an offer to train there.\u201d Seamus turned the offer down because of one very tangible attachment, \u201cCus told me his fighters do not wear heard gear when they spar. I thought, \u2018I don\u2019t like that.\u2019 Although I think my life would have been totally different if I went with Cus, I did not want to spar without headgear. I also did not realize how great a trainer Cus was at the time.\u201d<\/p>\n
Despite not having a world-class trainer in his corner, Seamus moved up the ranks. His victory over Cecil Coffee was a watershed moment, and one of the best fights of 1989. Coffee had an impressive cache at the time and benefited from the world-class tutelage of Murphy Griffith. Seamus then won an impressive ten-round decision over Michael Greer in November of 1989, \u201cI had trouble in that fight. But I got the job done,\u201d Seamus said about the Greer fight. Not long after, the heavyweight division was spun on its head in a way it had never experienced before.<\/p>\n
And Seamus was at the center of the storm. When Buster Douglas upset Mike Tyson, a major showdown between Tyson and Evander Holyfield turned to dust. As a result, Seamus\u2019 phone did not stop ringing. But he explains he was not that eager to oblige the boxing world, \u201cFirst we got an offer to fight Mike Tyson. I said, \u2018I am not going to fight Mike Tyson\u2019. Then they came back and wanted me to fight George Foreman, and I said, \u2018I am not going to fight George Foreman, he is three times my size.\u2019 Then they offered me a fight with Evander Holyfield, \u2018And I said I am not going to fight him. He is number one in the world.\u2019\u201d Luckily for Seamus, the conversation did not stop there, \u201cI was then told if I beat Holyfield, I would have a chance to make twenty-five million dollars. It took me about ten seconds to take the offer.\u201d<\/p>\n
Seamus faced Holyfield on June 1st, 1990. Holyfield was already out of the ring for seven months and was looking to get the rust off while waiting to secure a title shot against Buster Douglas. Since there was so much money at stake, it was a dangerous move for Team Holyfield to fight Seamus. But at that time in boxing, it was very vital to remain active, and a seven-month layoff was like being off two years in boxing today.<\/p>\n
Seamus felt he did not have proper time to prepare for the fight, and was very tense going into the battle, \u201cI was too nervous. I tried to knock him out in the first round. Which is silly. And in the first round, I got knocked down twice. I did better in the second and did great in the third round. I caught Holyfield with a right hand that knocked the lunch out of him. There is an excellent picture of it on the internet. Then in the fourth round, we both threw left hooks, he caught me and knocked me down. My first thought was, \u2018If I stay down, it will all be over.\u2019 But I got up at the count of seven going into eight, and Joe Cortez stops the fight. I could not believe it.\u201d<\/p>\n
The stoppage is a fascinating study. While Cortez did not give Seamus the mandatory eight count, Seamus did appear out of it when he was attempting to get up. At the same time, Seamus protested the stoppage right away with great vigor. Based on that action, one can assume that Seamus would have been able to sufficiently answer any questions Cortez had for him once he got to his feet. But he did look dazed and confused when trying to rise. Not an easy call.<\/p>\n
One thing is certain, Seamus never fought in that type of glamor setting again. He lost his next fight to Jesse Shelby and subsequently retired. \u201cI got head-butted in the second round, and I got the shit beat out of me. I do not even remember the last six rounds.\u201d Seamus explains that he was not in the best shape going into the fight with Shelby. Not because he cut corners in training camp, but because he felt he was overtrained. Seamus had several scheduled fights fall apart on him. While this was occurring, Joey Fariello kept demanding sweat and tears in the gym. Seamus tried to plead with Joey that he was being overtrained. The old school Fariello informed his young pupil that the idea of being overtrained was a myth. Seamus conceded, \u201cThe guy had multiple world champions, so I figured he knew what he was talking about.\u201d<\/p>\n
After that ordeal, Seamus retired. \u201cI just said fuck it. I started drinking again. It was a horrible ending. In a way, I was glad I got out at twenty-eight years old.\u201d<\/p>\n
Seamus is now twenty-four years sober. When he fought Evander Holyfield, he had to prepare for twelve rounds. Today, the most significant number in his life is indeed twelve. Along the way, he has taken on an acting career. As Seamus tells it, it was all by accident, \u201cI ran into an Irish guy called Jimmy Smallhorn on thirty-fourth street in Hell’s Kitchen. My car was towed the night before because I parked it illegally. I did not have the fifteen hundred dollars to get it out. This guy Jimmy pulls up to me in his car and shouts my name, they all knew me from the boxing. I did not know this guy, but I heard the Irish accent. He asked me if I was going uptown and offered me a ride. While we are in the car, he tells me he was just cast as the lead in the Bobby Sands play at the Irish Arts Center. I played a small part in Guys and Dolls at St. John’s. I ask Jimmy if they were finished with auditions.\u201d When the director of the play heard Seamus was interested in a part, they immediately found one for him. \u201cThey gave me a part right away. But I actually auditioned, and I was told that it was the best audition they have ever seen.\u201d<\/p>\n
The \u2018they\u2019 that Seamus was referring to was Nye Heron, who served as the assistant director of several Jim Sheridan films. Seamus acted in several plays in both the Bronx and Manhattan. He played the lead in the play, Kid Shamrock, and hopes to be a part of a production at the end of the Summer. Seamus is dedicated to helping others stay sober. And he insists he is in better shape now than he was ten years ago. That includes his memory.<\/p>\n
As far as boxing goes, Seamus is not active in any capacity but still watches the sport, \u201cLomachenko is brilliant. I am a big fan of Mick Conlan. He is going to be great. I love Manny Pacquiao. I am not up to date as much as I could be. We have our lives.\u201d<\/p>\n
And that life is one of frustrations and celebrations. A movie about Seamus\u2019 career is in discussion. \u201cI gave it a shot. I fought my heart out for my buddies, my friends and my family.\u201d Boxing is a hard road to hoe. Seamus eloquently paraphrased the \u201cfrustrations of a fighter,\u201d \u201cIn boxing, the brains you need to keep the money, you lose while making the money.\u201d<\/p>\n
Indeed, Seamus McDonagh has come a long way from Birmingham, England. Both literally and figuratively. When will he see his life play out on the silver screen?<\/p>\n
Stay Tuned\u2026<\/em><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Check out “Zutes Boxing Talk”, which airs every Wednesday live from 7PM to 9PM ET. The show is dedicated to discussing the sweet science straight up with no twists. “Zute” has interviewed boxing legends such as Carlos Palomino, Mike McCallum, Pernell Whitaker, Jeff Fenech, Buddy McGirt, Mark “Too Sharp” Johnson, Marvin Camel and Eddie Mustafa Muhammad. As well as today’s stars like Danny Garcia, Sergey Kovalev, Regis Prograis, Teofimo Lopez and Gary Russell, JR.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n