Career
In March 1985 he beat Clyde Ruan to take the BBBofC Southern Area featherweight title, a fight that was also a British title eliminator. By 1988 he had moved up to super featherweight and still with a 100% record from 24 fights fought South African Brian Mitchell for the latter"s WBA super featherweight title in November. The defeat effectively ended McGuigan"s career.
In November 1989 McDonnell got a second shot at a World title when he challenged for Azumah Nelson"s WBC super featherweight title at the Royal Albert Hall.
Nelson had McDonnell down four times and stopped him in the twelfth and final round. After more than seven years out of the ring, and at the age of 38, he returned in February 1998 against Peter Feher, losing a six-round points decision.
After retiring from boxing he worked as a painter and decorator, ran a gym in Camden, and became a trainer, most notably working with Danny Williams and James DeGale. He also ran the London Marathon several times, his best time 2 hours 49 minutes.
