I place him in the category of forgotten fringe contenders. I remember when he was chosen as a tuneup opponent for Evander back in 1990 when Holyfield was waiting for his shot against Douglas. Evander was supposed to be fighting Tyson that June but the big upset threw that off course. Think the WBC or WBA had McDonagh at #10 though this rating was likely manufactured to credit Holyfield with a win over another contender. Anyway, Seamus Patrick Mcdonagh was from Ireland. A guy who apparently also liked theater on the side. Won a New York amateur title. As a pro he had 23 fights spread out between light heavy, cruiser and heavy. Never really made a mark in any division but was a halfway decent fighter. Beat Michael Greer, Cecil Coffee and Tim Tomashek to name a few semi-notables. Lost a decision in his early days to Mike Peak and had a draw with somebody named Billy Saunders. After being beaten by the real deal he took a year off only to return and lose to Jesse Shelby in the last fight of his career.. final record was 19-3-1-14. I’d say he was probably comparable to perhaps a Peter McNeely or a Steffen Tangstad type fighter.
Probably even a step below McNeeley and Tangstad, but not that big of a step. Exciting fighter who happened to be white at the wrong place and time...meaning heavyweight boxing in the 80's and early 90's.
Good boxer, tough, brave, good chin and could punch, not really a legitimate heavyweight. Nice, intellegent man.
He kept it real for the Holyfield fight, knew he was a massive underdog. Says he compared the fight to Apollo V Rocky, with Holy as Apollo and himself as Rocky.
A keep busy fight for Holyfield, never really had any chance. Some articles and vids Reflects on Holyfield defeat This content is protected A Conversation with Seamus This content is protected
He really wasn't very good. He got notoriety for an ardent Irish American following. I would put him on par with Chris Reid who was another overhypef NV City journeyman level fighter. I'd say Seamus had journeyman/club fighter ability.
I think, while no world-beater-that he was better than a journeyman level fighter. The Coffey, and especially the Greer-win moves him up a notch from that.
