Monaghan moves closer to title

Boxer Seanie Monaghan, who has close family connections with Navan, moved closer to getting a shot at winning a world title when he defeated Mexican Elvir Muriqi by a unanimous decision at the Barclays Centre in Brooklyn, New York on Saturday.

Monaghan boxes under the name of “Irish Seanie Monaghan” was shouted on by a number of Meath people who live Stateside including Gene and Serena Lally who are based in Philadelphia. Also in the crowd was Seanie’s uncle Sammy Monaghan.

Seanie Monaghan grew up in Long Beach, New York and has attracted a large contingent of support from that area for his fights.

His father Davy emigrated from Navan to the US and set up home and an upholstery business in the New York area.

Seanie Monaghan worked as a bricklayer before becoming a professional boxer and now at the age of 33 he has a shot at the big time.

Among those who have followed Monaghan’s career closely is Gerry Dunphy from Fulham’s Bar in Navan who also remains in contact with the boxer.

“It’s fantastic to see a Navan man going for a world title and the best of luck to him,” added Gerry.

'Seanie flew the Irish flag with ‘Navan’ written on it before the fight, he calls it his lucky charm.

“There was up to 1,000 people from Long Beach, New York at the fight and I understand they made a lot of noise. They call themselves the Long Beach Army.”

Monaghan went the ten rounds with Muriqi but won despite at one stage bleeding heavily from cuts above both eyes.


Handled by Top Rank, Monaghan may now take on former WBC titleholder Jean Pascal, but he also expressed longer-range plans for a bout against 35-year-old ex-WBO titleholder Juergen Braehmer for possibly October or November.

A video of Seanie Monaghan's latest fight can be seen on the 'Irish Seanie Monaghan' website.