Former World Boxing Champion and legend of the ring, Barry McGuigan, will be the special guest at the Impartial Reporter Celebration of Sport which takes place at the Lough Erne Resort on Friday, January 26, 2018. 
The Clones man who won the world title in 1985 has strong links to Fermanagh and started his career at Wattlebridge Amateur Boxing Club in the county and actually fought at the Lakeland Forum in April 1982 when he knocked out his opponent Gary Lucas in the first round of his 11th professional fight. 
That undercard at the Lakeland Forum included Enniskillen boxers such as Kenny Bruce and the late Davy Campbell junior.
McGuigan represented Northern Ireland at the 1978 Commonwealth Games winning gold at bantamweight and boxed for Ireland at the Moscow Olympics in 1980. 
As a professional he memorably won the WBA Featherweight title in 1985 and defended it two times before losing in America in 1986. 
In total, Barry McGuigan boxed 35 times as a professional winning 32 times, 28 by knockout and suffering three defeats.
He is undoubtedly an Irish sporting legend and McGuigan was able to unite all of Ireland in supporting him at a time when Northern Ireland was in the midst of the Troubles. 
Barry will be joined at the Celebration by his wife Sandra. 
Mark Conway, deputy editor of the Impartial Reporter commented: 
“It is a massive boost for our Celebration of Sport that someone of Barry’s standing in not only Irish sport but world sport will be attending. 
“Barry had taken part in a tribute video for Fr. Brian D’Arcy that my colleague Rodney Edwards had compiled earlier in the year and when I suggested Barry would be a great special guest, Rodney got in contact with Barry who confirmed this week.
“Barry McGuigan won a world title in tremendous style in 1985 through his dedication and talent. 
“He also invigorated the whole country in tough times by taking politics out of sport as it should always be. He is a superb role model for any young aspiring sports star and there will be plenty of them at our awards ceremony. Those of us who remember Barry winning the title back in 1985 like myself will be keen to listen first hand to his experiences and his presence will add greatly to our night.” 
The former world champ who is now a promoter in the fight game told the Impartial Reporter: “Enniskillen has always been a place with fine sporting stars and I am looking forward to getting back to Fermanagh to meet the latest crop of talent.” 
The Impartial Reporter Celebration of Sport takes place at the Lough Erne Resort on Friday, January 16 at 7.30pm. A limited number of tickets will be on general sale. 
The nominees in the various categories will be announced weekly from next week onwards up until the week of the event.