After British and Commonwealth bantamweight title defeats, Maguire would avenge a previous loss against David Needham in 1975 to get his hands on the Lonsdale Belt – and in the build-up, reunited with Ali at Wembley.
In August 1977, they met again in the Grosvenor House Hotel for a testimonial in honour of Ali’s friend Paddy Monaghan, the Fermanagh-born bare-knuckle boxer.
By then, Maguire had drawn with European champion Daniel Trioulaire, while a second crack at the title brought a loss to Franco Zurlo before defeat by Johnny Owen proved his final stand.
“There were ups and down,” Maguire says of his career, “but it’s one I’m proud of.”
While his days in the ring were over, he would remain connected to the sport, serving as a member of the British Boxing Board of Control’s Northern Ireland Council.
On Saturday, Maguire will watch from home as Taylor, a trailblazer for women’s boxing, makes the same walk as Ali.
“I’ve had the opportunity to tell my kids and grandchildren about my time there, so for those boxing this time, they can do the same one day,” he said.
“Katie Taylor has had a great career and deserves her big night, but hopefully it’s not another 50 years before boxing’s back in Croke Park.”
