James Patrick "Shea" Neary ( ; born 18 May 1968) is a British former professional boxer who competed from 1992 to 2000. He held the WBU light-welterweight title from 1996 to 2000, and challenged once for the Commonwealth light-welterweight title in the latter year.

Amateur career Neary fought as an amateur from the age of 15, compiling a record of 21 fights and 3 losses."Interview with Shea Neary former WBU Light-Welterweight Champion" . British Boxing News. 13 July 2010. Retrieved 11 February 2016.

Professional career Neary made his professional debut on 3 September 1992, defeating fellow debutant Simon Ford by knockout in the first round. On 8 September 1995, Neary won his first regional championship—the vacant British Central Area title—by knocking out Nigel Bradley in two rounds. Three fights later, on 26 October 1996, Neary scored a twelve-round unanimous decision over Darryl Tyson to win the vacant WBU light-welterweight title. He made five successful defences of the title, all televised nationally on ITV's The Big Fight Live. One of these defences included a sixth-round stoppage over former British light-welterweight champion Andy Holligan on 12 March 1998.Leach, Glyn (13 March 1998). "Boxing: Merseysider Neary makes mark over Holligan in a marquee". The Independent. Independent Print Limited. Retrieved 11 February 2016.

On 11 March 2000, Neary fought Micky Ward as part of the undercard to Naseem Hamed vs. Vuyani Bungu. This brought Neary international exposure for the first time, as the event was televised in the United States by HBO on their World Championship Boxing series. In a high-paced, action-packed slugfest, Ward handed Neary his first loss by stopping him in the eighth round. The fight was dramatised in the 2010 film The Fighter, with Anthony Molinari playing the part of Neary.Collinson, Dawn (7 May 2013). "Hollywood stardom for Liverpool's former world champion boxer Shea Neary in Mark Wahlberg's The Fighter". Liverpool Echo. Trinity Mirror. Retrieved 11 February 2016.

Neary won one more fight on 25 July 2000, scoring a ten-round points decision over Alan Bosworth. However, Neary had struggled to make weight before the fight, and was quoted as having lacked motivation coming in."Neary edges to points verdict". BBC Sport. BBC. 26 July 2000. Retrieved 11 February 2016. On 11 November 2000, in what would be Neary's final fight, he lost via points decision to then-reigning Commonwealth light-welterweight champion Eamonn Magee. The result, judged by referee Roy Francis, was viewed as controversial."Neary outpointed by Magee". BBC Sport. BBC. 12 November 2000. Retrieved 11 February 2016."Neary camp to make official complaint". The Irish Times. Irish Times Trust. 13 November 2000. Retrieved 11 February 2016.

Personal life Neary's father moved from Ireland to Liverpool in the 1940s,Kilfeather, Sean (18 June 1999). "Neary invasion returns home". The Irish Times. Irish Times Trust. Retrieved 11 February 2016. and during his career Neary was embraced as both an Irishman and a Scouser.Hilton, Nick (7 May 2013). "Shamrock Scousers: Shea Neary". Liverpool Echo. Trinity Mirror. Retrieved 11 February 2016. On 2 May 2011, Neary was arrested following a brawl at the Revolution bar in Albert Dock, Liverpool, but was later cleared of assault charges in December."Ex-world champ Shea Neary found not guilty of assault by unanimous verdict". Liverpool Echo. Trinity Mirror. 17 December 2011. Retrieved 11 February 2016.

Neary's son James Metcalf, nicknamed "Kid Shamrock", became a professional boxer in 2011 and competes as a light-middleweight. He has called his father "a huge inspiration growing up", and the reason he wanted to be a boxer.Warren, Frank (3 February 2017). "Frank Warren adds Shea Neary's son James Metcalfe, Aston Brown to stable". World Boxing News. Retrieved 21 September 2017.

Professional boxing record

ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes25Loss23–2Eamonn MageePTS1211 Nov 200024Win23–1Alan BosworthPTS1025 Jul 200023Loss22–1Micky WardTKO8 (12), 11 Mar 200022Win22–0Mike GriffithTKO4 (12), 19 Jun 199921Win21–0Juan Carlos Ceferino VillarrealUD1224 Oct 199820Win20–0Naas ScheepersUD1221 Jul 199819Win19–0Andy HolliganTKO6 (12), 12 Mar 199818Win18–0Jeremiah MalingaKO3 (12), 1 Mar 199717Win17–0Darryl Tyson1226 Oct 199616Win16–0Terry SoutherlandKO2 (8), 3 Feb 199615Win15–0Mark RichardsonKO1 (8)24 Nov 199514Win14–0Nigel BradleyKO2 (10)8 Sep 199513Win13–0Hugh Forde6 (8), 16 Jun 199512Win12–0Tony SwiftTKO3 (8)15 Mar 199511Win11–0John SmithTKO5 (8), 25 Jan 199510Win10–0Tony FosterKO2 (6)7 Dec 19949Win9–0Mark PearceKO4 (6)13 Jun 19948Win8–0Mark AntonyKO1 (6)25 Oct 19937Win7–0Wayne Shepherd2 (6)6 Sep 19936Win6–0John SmithPTS629 Mar 19935Win5–0Vaughan CarnegieKO1 (6)22 Feb 19934Win4–0Chris Saunders61 Dec 19923Win3–0Jason BarkerTKO3 (6)2 Nov 19922Win2–0Shaun Armstrong6 (6)5 Oct 19921Win1–0Simon Ford1 (6)3 Sep 1992

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