Had a pint with him about 2 months ago in 'The Big House' in town. Honest fighter who made the most of his ability & as mentioned a total gent. Should've went Stateside for a prolonged period, they'd have loved him (given his Irish roots) and he'd have made a lot more cash than he ended up making. If him & Ward fight 10 times they win 5 each. Just one of those things.
All action fighter and great to watcvh but I disagree with HmH. Ward was just a better fighter and would have beat Neary a lot more often than not....thats not hindsight either, I had money on Ward to beat Shea that night at odds against.
Top fella top fighter who made the most of what he had!! Amazingly tough and dedicated beyond the belief...
Only watched his fights back now years later - he's all action make no mistake, but I have to also disagree with HmH, I think Ward just had the edge and was teetering on world class whereas Shea would be a tier below. Only just, though.
How good is his son ? Think he won the ABA's last year didnt he ? His fight with Ward is a classic, the punch Ward finished it with is a thing of beauty !
i know he got in trouble for beating up some 6'2 17 stone bodybuilder who slapped his girlfriend. neary was great to watch though
Although a level below world class, he was for a period arguable one of the five biggest British/Irish fighters of the time. He never let ITV down when they covered his fights.
When you bought a ticket to watch him fight you got value for money. Always in exciting fights real crowd pleasing style. If I remember a recent interview about the Ward fight and the rest of his career he was really struggling to try and make 140lb.