John Joseph Monaghan (21 August 1918 – 3 March 1984) was a Northern Irish boxer who reigned as the undisputed flyweight champion of the world from 1947 until his retirement in 1949. He became famous in the post-war period, eventually rising to become world champion and a hero to many people in his home city of Belfast.

Boxing career

Monaghan was born at 23 Lancaster Street in North Belfast, the eldest boy of three and four sisters. His parents were Thomas, a seaman, and Martha (née Wilson).Sean Kearns, "Monaghan, John Joseph (‘Rinty’)". Dictionary of Irish Biography, October 2009. Retrieved 2 October 2026 He attended St Patrick's Christian Brothers' School in Donegall St. A noted fighter at boys' level, he entered the paid ranks in his mid-teens. After a short absence for wartime service, Monaghan resumed his career and his burgeoning reputation drew huge crowds from all parts of his home city. In particular, bouts at Belfast's King's Hall were the highlight with that venue normally packed to the rafters.

In October 1947, the National Boxing Association world crown became his after outpointing the American, Dado Marino, at Harringay Stadium for the vacant title. The mantle of undisputed champion of the world rested on his shoulders after his defeat of the tough Scottish fighter Jackie Paterson by knock-out in the King's Hall on Saturday 23 March 1948.Malcolm Brodie, 'Down Memory Lane: Rinty was a class act, in and out of the ring'. Belfast Telegraph, 26 March 2011. Retrieved 2 October 2026 In all Monaghan fought Paterson three times, losing in 1938 but winning in 1946 and 1948.

In April 1949 he retained his World title, and became European champion, by dispatching Frenchman Maurice Sandeyron.

Monaghan's final fight came in September 1949 when he drew with Londoner Terry Allen. By the time that a long-standing chest complaint forced his retirement as champion in 1950, Monaghan's trophy-cabinet contained the British, European, Commonwealth and World crowns. Of the 66 official bouts he fought during his successful career, he lost only nine and drew six. Monaghan endeared himself to his supporters after his fights by singing When Irish Eyes are Smiling to the King's Hall audience, which joined in the singing.'Legends of Irish Boxing' Ireland's Eye

Life outside boxing A part-time cabaret artist, Monaghan toured western Europe during World War II with other notables of the period, including Vera Lynn, Gracie Fields and George Formby, and later formed his own band."Boxing legend's life story" Irish News (Belfast newspaper), 8 October 2008, p. 3

His nickname "Rinty" came from his fondness for dogs. According to his daughter Martha, he brought home injured dogs so often that his grandmother called him Rin Tin Tin, after the film dog, and shortened it to Rinty."Irish eyes are smiling again for hero Rinty" Irish News (Belfast newspaper), 3 May 2007, p. 13

Monaghan married Frances Thompson in 1938 and moved to the nearby district of "Little Italy", close to Sailortown. He had three daughters, Martha, Rosetta and Collette, and one son, Sean. The money Monaghan had made from boxing did not set him up for a comfortable retirement, and he had to work in a variety of jobs.'John Joseph (Rinty) Monaghan (1918 - 1984): Boxer' Dictionary of Ulster Biography But he remained true to his working-class roots and stayed in Belfast. Monaghan died at his home in Little Corporation St on 3 March 1984, at the relatively young age of 65. He is buried in Belfast City Cemetery.

To mark the influence of this "home-town hero", the Ulster History Circle and Belfast City Council provided a plaque in his honour at the King's Hall. It was unveiled, in the presence of many of his family circle and friends, on 3 May 2007.

Belfast City Council erected a statue to Monaghan at Cathedral Gardens on 20 August 2015. Designed by Alan Beattie Herriot, this 10-foot high bronze statue on a granite plinth features Monaghan holding a microphone and singing "When Irish Eyes are Smiling".

Professional boxing record

ResultRecordOpponentTypeRoundDateAgeLocationNotes69Draw Terry AllenPTS15Sep 30, 194968Win52–9–7 Otello BelardinelliPTS10Aug 19, 194967Win51–9–7 Maurice SandeyronPTS15Apr 5, 194966Loss50–9–7 Terry AllenPTS8Feb 7, 194965Win50–8–7 Charlie SquireTKO7 (10)Jun 28, 194864Win49–8–7 Jackie PatersonKO7 (15)Mar 23, 194863Win48–8–7 Dado MarinoPTS15Oct 20, 194762Loss47–8–7 Dado MarinoDQ9 (10)Jul 16, 194761Win47–7–7 Emile FamechonPTS8Jul 1, 194760Win46–7–7 Terry AllenTKO1 (10)Mar 11, 194759Win45–7–7 Sammy ReynoldsDQ8 (10)Sep 24, 194658Win44–7–7 Alex MurphyPTS8Sep 11, 194657Win43–7–7 Jackie PatersonRTD7 (10)Jun 7, 194656Win42–7–7 Tommy BurneyPTS8Apr 4, 194655Win41–7–7 Bunty DoranKO4 (15)Nov 6, 194554Loss40–7–7 Joe CurranPTS10Oct 18, 194553Win40–6–7 Tommy BurneyPTS10Sep 13, 194552Win39–6–7 Joe 'Boy' CollinsPTS10Feb 9, 194551Win38–6–7 Joe MeikleKO2 (8)Oct 14, 194350Loss37–6–7 Ike WeirPTS10Jul 13, 194349Draw37–5–7 Harry RogersPTS8Feb 6, 194348Win37–5–6 Joe MeiklePTS8Dec 26, 194247Loss36–5–6 Jimmy GillPTS10Mar 20, 194046Win36–4–6 Tommy StewartPTS8Mar 4, 194045Loss35–4–6 Paddy RyanPTS10Jan 10, 194044Win35–3–6 Seaman ChettyPTS10Nov 8, 193943Win34–3–6 Billy AshtonPTS8Jul 20, 193942Win33–3–6 Tommy StewartPTS8Jun 28, 193941Win32–3–6 Sammy ReynoldsPTS10Mar 20, 193940Win31–3–6 Joe CurranKO5 (10)Feb 27, 193939Loss30–3–6 Tommy StewartPTS10Sep 2, 193838Win30–2–6 Joe CurranPTS8Aug 11, 193837Loss29–2–6 Jackie PatersonKO5 (8)Jul 23, 193836Win29–1–6 Joe KielyKO2 (10)Jul 2, 193835Win28–1–6 Ivor NeilKO2 (8)Jun 18, 193834Win27–1–6 Peter PetersKO1 (10)May 27, 193833Win26–1–6 Battling Joe McCluskeyPTS10May 6, 193832Win25–1–6 Cyclone KellyPTS10Apr 15, 193831Win24–1–6 Cyclone KellyPTS10Mar 31, 193830Win23–1–6 Spider AllenKO2 (10)Mar 1, 193829Win22–1–6 Pat MurphyTKO4 (10)Feb 4, 193828Win21–1–6 Alf HughesKO9 (10)Jan 21, 193827Win20–1–6 Tommy AllenKO5 (8)Dec 2, 193726Win19–1–6 George LangKO1 (10)Nov 17, 193725Win18–1–6 Paddy O'TooleTKO4 (8)Oct 1, 193724Win17–1–6 Ted MeiklePTS8Sep 17, 193723Win16–1–6 Frank BensonTKO6 (6)Aug 18, 193722Win15–1–6 Ted MeikleTKO4 (6)Aug 9, 193721Win14–1–6 Ted MeiklePTS6Jul 13, 193720Win13–1–6 Sam RamseyPTS6Jul 7, 193719Win12–1–6 Mick GibbonsPTS6Jun 21, 193718Win11–1–6 Mick GibbonsPTS6May 10, 193717Loss10–1–6 Jim KeeryPTS6May 1, 193716Win10–0–6 Joe DuffyPTS6Sep 18, 193615Draw9–0–6 Young JosephsPTS6Jul 24, 193614Draw9–0–5 Jack McKenziePTS8May 20, 193613Win9–0–4 Young JosephsTKO3 (6)May 16, 193612Win8–0–4 Young KellyPTS6Apr 8, 193611Win7–0–4 Sam RamseyPTS6Mar 28, 193610Draw6–0–4 Sam RamseyPTS6Mar 20, 19369Win6–0–3 Young JosephsPTS6Feb 22, 19368Win5–0–3 Sam RamseyPTS6Jan 13, 19367Win4–0–3 Young FinneganPTS6Mar 29, 19356Win3–0–3 Vic LargeKO4 (4)Feb 17, 19355Win2–0–3 Jim PedlowPTS4Dec 19, 19344Draw1–0–3 Boy RamseyPTS4Dec 5, 19343Draw1–0–2 Boy RamseyPTS4Sep 28, 19342Win1–0–1 Jim NorneyPTS4Apr 27, 19321Draw0–0–1 Sam RamseyPTS4Apr 13, 1932

Titles in boxing Major world titles NBA (WBA) flyweight champion (112 lbs)

The Ring magazine titles The Ring flyweight champion (112 lbs)

Regional/International titles Lonsdale Belt flyweight champion (112 lbs) Northern Ireland flyweight champion (112 lbs) European flyweight champion (112 lbs)

Undisputed titles Undisputed flyweight champion

See also List of flyweight boxing champions List of British flyweight boxing champions

Notes and references Notes

References

External links

Rinty Monaghan - CBZ Profile

Further reading Eamonn O'Hara, Rinty: the story of a champion (Belfast, 2008)