By Tony O’Reilly-
The Belfast boxing community was plunged into mourning on New Year’s Day 2026 with the tragic news of the death of rising star Paul McCullagh Jr.
A highly regarded light-heavyweight fighter who represented the famous St John Bosco ABC in West Belfast, the 25-year-old passed away following a short illness. Known for his incredible heart, charming personality, and formidable presence in the ring, his passing has left a massive void in the local sporting landscape.
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Paul Jr was part of a boxing dynasty that is synonymous with the sport in Northern Ireland. His grandfather, the legendary coach Paul McCullagh Sr, passed away in 2018 after mentoring greats like Barry McGuigan and Anthony Cacace.
His father, also named Paul, is an established referee and champion amateur boxer. Following in these storied footsteps, Paul Jr carved out a reputation as a dedicated, talented, and respected fighter.
Paul McCullagh Jr was born into boxing, and his passion for the sport was evident from a young age.
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He spent his formative years training at the renowned St John Bosco Boxing Club in West Belfast, as well as his family-run club, McCullagh’s ABC in Dunmurry.
His amateur career was marked by consistent success and dedication. McCullagh won his first title in 2012, signalling the start of a promising career. A major breakthrough came in 2019 when he won the Ulster Elite Light-Heavyweight title.
This victory was particularly poignant as it came 40 years after his great-uncle, Francie McCullagh, achieved the same feat.
Following his 2019 success, he represented Ulster against New York and competed for Ireland in a dual-nations international against the Netherlands.
In 2020, “The Irish Drago” turned professional, bringing his aggressive, high-pressure style to the pro ranks. He defeated Anthony Woolery on his debut. In his second bout, he stopped Ben Thomas in the third round in Wakefield, describing the victory as the fulfilment of a “childhood dream”.
Despite his formidable reputation in the ring—often described as a “gentle giant” at 6′3″ with a powerful punch—friends, family, and teammates remembered Paul Jr as a polite, kind-hearted, and warm individual.
He was deeply committed to the community aspect of boxing, speaking in 2021 about his father’s gym as a “happy place” that bridged sectarian divides. He believed in the power of the sport to provide discipline and direction to young people.
Gerard McCafferty, a coach at St John Bosco, who also mentored Paul’s grandfather, described him as someone with a “heart of gold”.
Tributes Pour In
The sudden loss of such a young talent triggered an outpouring of grief across Ireland and the UK.
Irish Amateur Boxing Association (IABA): The IABA expressed their profound sadness, stating they were “deeply saddened by the passing” of the 25-year-old.
They extended their “deepest condolences to Paul’s family, club and loved ones,” recognizing him as a true gentleman and a formidable presence.
St John Bosco ABC: A representative from his club in West Belfast said, “You could not meet a nicer person than young Paul,” highlighting his combination of being a “true gentleman” and a “formidable and powerful presence in the ring”.
Aidan Walsh (Olympic Bronze Medallist): Former teammate Aidan Walsh shared a heartfelt tribute on social media, writing: “RIP my big mate. I’ll never forget our memories together”.
The club remarked that “Paul’s achievements and his proud boxing heritage made him a credit to Irish boxing”. Tributes from fans and peers described him as having a “charming, beautiful soul” with “manners from a time gone by”.
The death of Paul Jr is especially tragic given the family’s significant contributions to the sport. The loss resonates heavily with the passing of his grandfather, Paul Sr, in 2018, which also sent shockwaves through the Belfast boxing scene.
Paul Sr was a legendary figure at the Immaculata Amateur Club, training top fighters and working closely with promoter Barney Eastwood in the 1980s and 90s. Paul Jr often cited the legacy of his grandfather and father as inspiration for his own career.
The Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust has been involved in assisting the family, underlining the tragic nature of the passing.
Summary of his Achievements
St John Bosco ABC Fighter
2012 First Title Winner
2019 Ulster Elite Heavyweight Champion
Ireland International Representative
Paul McCullagh Jr’s life was tragically cut short, but his impact on those who knew him, and his contribution to the proud boxing traditions of West Belfast, will be remembered for years to come.
Tributes have been paid to McCullagh Jr from across the boxing world.
Aidan Walsh, Olympic bronze medallist at welterweight at Tokyo 2020, said he would ‘never forget our memories together’.
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.’
An unnamed 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.
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