Fond memories of former world boxing champion's visit to Tipperary

The death last week of former world heavyweight boxing champion George Foreman revived memories of his visit to Fethard 26 years ago.

The boxing great, who fought famous contests against Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier in the 1970s, was in Fethard in 1999 with another former world champion, Irish athlete Eamonn Coghlan, visiting Coolmore Stud Farm before they dropped into the famous McCarthy’s Bar in the town.

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“He was reluctant at first to come in because he was anti drink and drugs,” recalls Vincent Jasper Murphy, proprietor of McCarthy’s.

“But when he realised that it was more of a social setting he relaxed, and came in,” says Vincent.

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“He was an interesting character. He met young Jack Kenny, who is a big boxing and wrestling fan. He sat beside them and they had a chat.

“He told an interesting story about attempts to get him into the wrestling ring with Hulk Hogan, but he declined on the grounds that wrestling involved a higher level of fitness.

“He also turned down an offer to referee a wrestling match because he knew what would happen, and that he would end up in a fight”.

“When he warmed up he was grand”, says Vincent.

George Foreman is not the only famous person to have visited McCarthy's.

Rolling Stone Ronnie Wood, jockeys Paul Carberry and Thierry Doumen, and famous composer and impresario Andrew Lloyd Webber have also graced the renowned Fethard establishment with their presence.