From Underdog to Champion: The Incredible Story of Billy Irwin

In the history of Canadian lightweight boxing, only two men from the country have ever fought for a worldwide title. One of these men, Billy Irwin, rose up from a tough beginning to fight with some of the world’s best, and when he retired in 2005 it was immediately after the one bout in which he was ever stopped. In many ways the consummate underdog, Ontario native Irwin went much further than most boxers ever do due to his cussed toughness in the ring. Any fight fan who saw him on the circuit from Niagara to Quebec and then around the world - including representing his country at the Olympics - will remember his ability to absorb punishment and give it back with interest.

Irwin offers an important lesson to any prospective pro boxer who wants to rise to the top, both literally and figuratively. As someone who the top sportsbooks in Quebec would place extremely long odds against being knocked out, he is the ultimate example that as long as you’re on your feet and have your wits about you, you can win. That’s a message he continues to transmit today as a trainer who teaches both amateur and professional fighters. And if they ever find the need to question what they can learn from him, Irwin can point to a career that rewarded his granite toughness.

More than just a tough jaw

Although may writeups about Irwin will focus on his ability to stay in fights, that’s a one-dimensional perspective on a fighter who could land a punch as well. His left-hook was his most notable shot, often leaving opponents stunned with its speed and its power. It was that punching ability that landed him a shot at the IBF lightweight title, a bout which he narrowly lost against American Paul Spadafora on a points decision after a balanced fight. Irwin was nonetheless peerless on a domestic front, taking on and defeating all comers under the Canadian flag.

Hard to stop

It’s been mentioned that Irwin’s final fight against Juan Diaz was the only time in his career that he was stopped. That tells half the story. Diaz was undefeated in his career, fifteen years younger and the reigning WBA champion when the two fighters met, and Irwin certainly held his own. However, a thumb to the eye caused Irwin to lose a significant portion of his vision during the fight, and as the eye began to close, the official stepped in to end the fight for the sake of Irwin’s safety. So even when he took the one stoppage that happened in his career, Billy “The Kid” was on his feet until the end.

An ideal role model

At Irwin’s gym, the training school where he runs the program that he embarked upon at the end of a distinguished career, Billy now trains the fighters of the future both male and female. In that gym, he has trained some potential champions and if one of them were to go on to pick up a world championship, nobody would be happier than Irwin himself. He started the gym in his native Niagara along with his brother Mike, and for more than a decade they have been welcoming locals with the will to build a future in the sport.

Just as Billy Irwin was an underdog for much of his own career, his work at Irwin’s Gym is designed to give other underdogs their day. Across Canada he may be recognised for being an Olympian and a title fighter, but in Niagara he’s the guy with the gym, and that’s a fitting way for the self-effacing Irwin to be recognised.