Freddie Gilroy
Encyclopedia
Frederick Gilroy, more commonly known as Freddie Gilroy, (born in Belfast
, Northern Ireland
on 7 March 1936) is a former boxer
. Gilroy won a bronze medal for Ireland
at the 1956 Summer Olympics
in Melbourne
at bantamweight
.
for the World Bantamweight title but lost on points in London
, despite knocking down Halimi in the fifteenth round. In 1963 Gilroy fought fellow Belfast man and Olympic medallist John Caldwell
in what is widely regarded as one of the greatest fights ever to be held in Ireland. Gilroy won when a cut to Caldwell's eye stopped him from carrying on. Gilroy immediately announced his retirement.
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
, Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
on 7 March 1936) is a former boxer
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
. Gilroy won a bronze medal for Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
at the 1956 Summer Olympics
1956 Summer Olympics
The 1956 Melbourne Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XVI Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was held in Melbourne, Australia, in 1956, with the exception of the equestrian events, which could not be held in Australia due to quarantine regulations...
in Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
at bantamweight
Bantamweight
Bantamweight is usually a class in boxing for boxers who weigh above 115 pounds and up to 118 pounds . However, in Mixed Martial Arts it is 134-136 pounds . Wrestling also has similar weight classes including bantamweight...
.
Olympic results
- 1st round bye
- Defeated Boris Stiepanov (Soviet Union) KO 3
- Defeated Mario Sitri (Italy) points
- Lost to Wolfgang BehrendtWolfgang BehrendtWolfgang Behrendt was a bantamweight amateur boxer from East Germany, who competed for the United Team of Germany at the 1956 Summer Olympics.-Amateur career:...
(United Team of Germany) points
Pro career
He turned professional shortly after winning his Olympic medal and he would go on to win British, Commenwealth and European titles in a short five year career. In 1960 he fought Alphonse HalimiAlphonse Halimi
Alphonse Halimi was a French boxer. He was nicknamed "la Petite Terreur."Time wrote of him: "Alphonse went to work with a street fighter's will. A grown-up guttersnipe from the back alleys of Algeria...
for the World Bantamweight title but lost on points in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, despite knocking down Halimi in the fifteenth round. In 1963 Gilroy fought fellow Belfast man and Olympic medallist John Caldwell
John Caldwell (boxer)
John Caldwell was an Irish boxer who won the bronze medal in the flyweight division at the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne, Australia....
in what is widely regarded as one of the greatest fights ever to be held in Ireland. Gilroy won when a cut to Caldwell's eye stopped him from carrying on. Gilroy immediately announced his retirement.
See also
- Ireland at the 1956 Summer OlympicsIreland at the 1956 Summer OlympicsIreland competed at the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne, Australia and Stockholm, Sweden .-Medalists:Ireland finished in 21st position in the final medal rankings, with one gold medal and five medals overall...
- Boxing at the 1956 Summer OlympicsBoxing at the 1956 Summer OlympicsBoxing at the 1956 Summer Olympics took place in the new stadium at West Melbourne. A total number of 164 competitors entered from 35 nations, of whom 161 from 34 nations weighed-in and boxing was held eight nights and five afternoons. The boxing schedule began on November 23 and ended on December 1...
- List of British bantamweight boxing champions