Bare-knuckle hero Donnelly joins Boxing Hall of Fame

FAMED Irish bare-knuckle boxer of the early 19th century, Dan Donnelly is to be inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame, becoming only the sixth Irishman to receive this honour since the Hall of Fame, based at Canastota, New York, was inaugurated in 1990.

The induction ceremony will take place next June.

“This is a fitting tribute to a man who was hero-worshipped by the Irish after he conquered top-rated English pugilists almost 200 years ago. I am delighted that his place in sporting history has received international recognition at last,” said Patrick Myler, whose biography of Donnelly was published over 30 years ago.