Eamonn Loughran


Eamonn Loughran is an Irish former professional boxer who fought in the light welterweight divisions.

Amateur career

As an amateur, Loughran boxed for Ireland and won a silver medal at the 1987 AIBA Youth World Boxing Championships in Havana, Cuba defeating the Cuban and American fighters on the way to the final. Loughran then turned professional later that year.

Professional career

Loughran fought out of the Breen Gym in Belfast and, in December 1987, fought his first professional fight at the Ulster Hall, Belfast, County Antrim, Northern Ireland, in which he beat Glaswegian Adam Muir on a card that included Dave "Boy" McAuley and Andy Holligan.
It was five years, during which he fought twenty professional fights, before Loughran challenged for his first title belt.
Loughran is a former Commonwealth Light Welterweight Title holder and won the WBO Welterweight Title and lost on his sixth defence in the first round to José Luis Lopez in March 1996 after which Loughran announced his retirement.

Post retirement

Loughran never returned to the ring, or to boxing, after the defeat to Lopez. He now lives in his native Ballymena working in the building and property industry. He is also a keen golfer and plays regularly.
As of October 2017 Loughran has taken up the role of coach and sparring partner for fellow Ballymena man Jamie Smith. The ex rugby player is starting a boxing career at the age of 29 largely due to Loughran’s backing.