Belfast Boxer Paul McCullagh Jr. Dies at 25

Belfast boxer Paul McCullagh Jr, a 25-year-old light heavyweight from a prominent Northern Irish boxing family, died on New Year's Day following a short illness.

McCullagh, who fought under the nickname Irish Drago, built a promising career in the ring before his untimely passing. As an amateur, he secured his first title in 2012 and claimed the Ulster Elite heavyweight championship in 2019. That same year, he represented Ulster High Performance in a competition against New York and earned a spot on Ireland's team for a dual-nations international against the Netherlands. He boxed out of St. John Bosco Belfast and his family's McCullaghs ABC club, honing his skills in a lineage deeply rooted in the sport.

In 2020, McCullagh turned professional, compiling a 2-0 record. He stopped Ben Thomas in his debut that year and outpointed Antony Woolery in 2021. His transition to the pros followed a string of amateur successes that positioned him as a rising talent in Northern Irish boxing.

McCullagh's family has long been intertwined with the sport. His father, also named Paul, was a champion amateur boxer who competed out of Immaculata BC and now serves as a professional referee. His...