Boxing legend Paddy Doherty dies in Galway hospital

Former Irish Elite champion Paddy Doherty has died in the care of Galway University Hospital on Wednesday.

Doherty, a native of Ballymagrorty, Ballintra, was a two‑time Irish Elite champion and the only Donegal boxer to win a Commonwealth Games medal, securing bronze in Edinburgh in 1970.

He famously fought on the undercard of Muhammad Ali, stepping into the ring after Ali stopped Al “Blue” Lewis. Doherty recalled the atmosphere, describing the crowd as “phenomenal” and noting Ali’s humility.

In recent weeks Doherty attended Katie Taylor’s farewell bout at Croke Park, cheering from a VIP seat as the Irish star defeated Flora Pili before a sold‑out crowd of 82,000. He also took part in the first‑anniversary Mass for his friend Peter O’Donnell in Raphoe and was present at the Peter O’Donnell Box Cup finals in Clonmany.

Career highlights

Starting boxing at age 11 under Michael Burke in Ballyshannon, Doherty won the Irish elite titles in 1970 and 1971 and was Ulster champion in the same years. He later fought Welshman Bobby Ruffe, winning by stoppage, and represented Ireland at the Commonwealth Games, where he defeated Ghanaian Prince Amartey before losing to Scotland’s Tom Imrie.

Doherty’s death has prompted tributes across Donegal, with many remembering his contributions to Irish boxing and his role as the county’s first Commonwealth Games medalist.

Source: Donegal Daily. Photo: Prateek Katyal / Pexels.