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David Anthony "Dave" McAuley, MBE (born 15 June 1961, Larne) is a former professional boxer from Northern Ireland who competed from 1983 to 1992. He held the IBF flyweight title from 1989 to 1992, and challenged twice for the WBA flyweight title in 1987 and 1988. At regional level, he held the British flyweight title in 1986.
Boxing career
McAuley fought under the name Dave "Boy" McAuley, and was one of the last Irish boxers to fight for a world title over 15 rounds. His two epic fights against Fidel Bassa were both voted "Fight of the Year", in 1986 and 1987 respectively. He defeated Duke McKenzie for the IBF title. He defended his recognised IBF World Title and became the most successful Irish fighter post-war with a recognised IBF World Title.
Among his most famous bouts were two brutal encounters with Colombian Fidel Bassa at Belfast's King's Hall. In 1989 McAuley won the IBF title from Duke McKenzie. He successfully defended his title five times, eventually losing it to Rodolfo Blanco in 1992, whom he had beaten two years previously.
McAuley was unusual for a flyweight in that he was extremely tall for someone in the flyweight division, standing at 5'7".He was one ofIreland's most under-rated boxers, and was poorly treated by various promoters and media after his loss to Blanco.
Broadcasting career
McAuley works as a commentator for Irish television station Raidió Teilifís Éireann on their boxing coverage.
Comeback
McAuley was almost tempted out of retirement on more than one occasion, right up to the mid-1990s. He was rumoured to be training for a comeback fight with Prince Naseem Hamed in 1994, but the bout eventually fell through over contractual issues.
Poker
McAuley recently took part in a celebrity boxing poker tournament organised by partypoker.com however being an amateur in this sport was put out first after going "all in" with ace two off suit. In 2009, he was back in Poker Super Stars and got through to the final table in London.
Other activities
McAuley runs a hotel in Ballygalley, near Larne, County Antrim.
Professional boxing record
| Professional record summary | ||
| 23 fights | 18 wins | 3 losses |
| By knockout | 8 | 1 |
| By decision | 10 | 2 |
| Draws | 2 | |
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23 | Loss | 18–3–2 | Rodolfo Blanco | UD | 12 | 11 Jun 1992 | Sports Pavilion, Bilboa, Spain | Lost IBF flyweight title |
| 22 | Win | 18–2–2 | Jacob Matlala | KO | 10 (12) | 7 Sep 1991 | Leisure Centre, Belfast, Northern Ireland | Retained IBF flyweight title |
| 21 | Win | 17–2–2 | Pedro Jose Feliciano | UD | 12 | 11 May 1991 | Leisure Centre, Belfast, Northern Ireland | Retained IBF flyweight title |
| 20 | Win | 16–2–2 | Rodolfo Blanco | UD | 12 | 15 Sep 1990 | King's Hall, Belfast, Northern Ireland | Retained IBF flyweight title |
| 19 | Win | 15–2–2 | Louis Curtis | UD | 12 | 17 Mar 1990 | King's Hall, Belfast, Northern Ireland | Retained IBF flyweight title |
| 18 | Win | 14–2–2 | Dodie Boy Penalosa | SD | 12 | 8 Nov 1989 | Grand Hall, London, England | Retained IBF flyweight title |
| 17 | Win | 13–2–2 | Duke McKenzie | UD | 12 | 7 Jun 1989 | The Arena, London, England | Won IBF flyweight title |
| 16 | Loss | 12–2–2 | Fidel Bassa | UD | 12 | 26 Mar 1988 | King's Hall, Belfast, Northern Ireland | For WBA flyweight title |
| 15 | Win | 12–1–2 | Roy Thompson | PTS | 10 | 7 Dec 1987 | Ulster Hall, Belfast, Northern Ireland | |
| 14 | Loss | 11–1–2 | Fidel Bassa | TKO | 13 (15) | 25 Apr 1987 | King's Hall, Belfast, Northern Ireland | For WBA flyweight title |
| 13 | Win | 11–0–2 | Joe Kelly | TKO | 9 (12) | 20 Oct 1986 | St. Andrews SC, Albany Hotel, Glasgow, Scotland | Won vacant British flyweight title |
| 12 | Win | 10–0–2 | Charlie Brown | TKO | 1 (8) | 22 Apr 1986 | Ulster Hall, Belfast, Northern Ireland | |
| 11 | Win | 9–0–2 | Kelvin Smart | DQ | 6 (8) | 15 Feb 1986 | RDS Arena, Dublin, Ireland | Smart disqualified for intentional low blows |
| 10 | Win | 8–0–2 | Bobby McDermott | TKO | 10 (10) | 8 Jun 1985 | Loftus Road, London, England | |
| 9 | Win | 7–0–2 | Johnny Mack | TKO | 1 (8) | 3 Feb 1985 | King's Hall, Belfast, Northern Ireland | |
| 8 | Win | 6–0–2 | Graham Clarke | TKO | 4 (6) | 19 Dec 1984 | Ulster Hall, Belfast, Northern Ireland | |
| 7 | Win | 5–0–2 | Dave George | TKO | 6 (8) | 13 Nov 1984 | Ulster Hall, Belfast, Northern Ireland | |
| 6 | Win | 4–0–2 | John Mwaimu | PTS | 6 | 13 Oct 1984 | King's Hall, Belfast, Northern Ireland | |
| 5 | Win | 3–0–2 | Roy Williams | PTS | 6 | 17 Sep 1984 | Corn Exchange, Brighton, England | |
| 4 | Draw | 2–0–2 | Kenny Walsh | PTS | 6 | 27 Feb 1984 | Albany Hotel, Birmingham, England | |
| 3 | Win | 2–0–1 | Ian Colbeck | PTS | 6 | 25 Jan 1984 | King's Hall, Belfast, Northern Ireland | |
| 2 | Win | 1–0–1 | Dave Smith | KO | 1 (6) | 16 Nov 1983 | King's Hall, Belfast, Northern Ireland | |
| 1 | Draw | 0–0–1 | John Mwaimu | PTS | 6 | 5 Oct 1983 | Ulster Hall, Belfast, Northern Ireland |