Boxing star Paul McCullagh Jr died following a short battle with an aggressive form of bone cancer, his father has revealed.
The 25-year-old Northern Irishman, who was an amateur heavyweight champion and had won both of his fights after turning professional in 2020, tragically passed away on New Year’s Day.
Known as the Irish Drago for his resemblance to the antagonist from the Sylvester Stallone movie Rocky IV, McCullagh Jr was destined to be boxer. His father, Paul, was a champion amateur as was his late grandfather, who coached the likes of Barry McGuigan and current IBF welterweight champion Anthony Cacace.
Mr McCullagh Sr, who owns a boxing club near Belfast where his son would train ahead of his bouts, paid an emotional tribute to his boy who was a ‘warrior until the very end’.
‘He was my dream son, a kid a father couldn’t be more proud of,’ he told Irish News. ‘Anyone I spoke to always said that is one lad any parent would be proud to have and by the grace of God he has been my son for a short time.’
McCullagh Jr had been battling sickness for months before collapsing last week while his father was by his side. McCullagh Sr rushed him to hospital and tests revealed cancer in his blood and bones.
The late boxer’s father said: ‘When the doctor was trying to tell him he had cancer in his blood and bones, they were taking ages to tell him, so he said “Doctor, is it cancer?”
‘She then just said to him “it’s in your blood and bones”. He just turned to me and said “don’t you worry Daddy it’s in the hands of God”. A warrior to the end. Of course I fell apart.’
Mr McCullagh says his son, who won his first title in 2012, was a ‘true gent’ and that he will ‘miss him every second of every day’.
Tributes continue to flood in for the young fighter from across the boxing world.
‘Heartbreaking to hear the terrible news about the very talented Paul [McCullagh] Jnr,’ wrote former world champion Carl Frampton on X. ‘Deepest sympathies to his Dad, Paul and the rest of his family and friends.’
Aidan Walsh, Irish Olympic bronze medallist at welterweight at Tokyo 2020, said he would ‘never forget our memories together’.
McCullagh Jr represented both Ulster and Ireland on the international stage. He defeated Anthony Woolery on his debut in 2020 and beat Ben Thomas the year after.
The Irish Athletic Boxing Association said in a statement: ‘IABA is saddened by the passing of boxer, 25-year-old Paul McCullagh Junior.
‘A member of clubs including St. John Bosco Belfast and his family’s McCullagh’s ABC, Paul won his first title in 2012, and an Ulster Elite heavyweight title in 2019. In the same year Paul represented Ulster High Performance against New York and represented Ireland in a dual nations international against the Netherlands.
‘Paul turned pro after his 2019 success, and recorded a number of wins. Paul’s grandfather and father were both champion amateur boxers, the latter boxing out of Immaculata BC. Paul’s grandfather was a highly regarded pro and amateur coach and his father is a pro referee.
‘IABA extends deepest condolences to Paul’s family, club and loved ones.’
A representative from McCullagh Jr’s boxing club told the Irish Times that ‘Paul was a true gentleman in every sense of the word, yet a formidable and powerful presence in the ring’.
‘You could not meet a nicer person than young Paul,’ they added.
