Bobby Cassidy, born April 19, 1944, is a former professional boxer who fought from 1963 to 1980. Although born and raised in New York, Cassidy is of Irish lineage and fought under the name, "Irish" Bobby Cassidy. Cassidy was a southpaw (left-handed) who was world-rated in the junior middleweight, middleweight, light heavyweight and cruiserweight divisions. In 1975, he was ranked number one in the world as a light heavyweight by the World Boxing Council. In 1963, Cassidy, from Levittown, Long Island, New York, scored a one-punch, 39-second knockout in his professional debut at Sunnyside Garden. He went on to compile a ring record of 59 wins, 16 losses, three draws, one no contest and 27 knockouts. Among the notable fighters that he defeated were

Don Fullmer Don Fullmer (February 21, 1939 – January 28, 2012) was an American professional boxer and a brother of the former world middleweight champion Gene Fullmer. Eight years younger than his more famous brother, Don followed Gene into the gym in Wes ...

Jimmy Dupree James Walter Dupree (April 27, 1936 – January 25, 2014) was an American professional boxer who competed from 1961 to 1974, challenging for the WBA light-heavyweight title in 1971. Career Early career Dupree started off in 1961, winning ...

, Tom Bethea, Isaac Logart, Ramon Ranquello,

Tommy Hicks Tommy Hicks (born June 27, 1944) is an American former light heavyweight boxer. Early life Hicks was born in Lockport, New York. He attended Ithaca College. Career Hicks won the Buffalo Golden Gloves tournament in 1965 in the 175 Novice Divis ...

and Christy Elliott. He also fought world champions Luis Manuel Rodríguez,

Rodrigo Valdez Rodrigo is a Spanish, Portuguese and Italian name derived from the Germanic name ''Roderick'' ( Gothic ''*Hroþareiks'', via Latinized ''Rodericus'' or ''Rudericus''), given specifically in reference to either King Roderic (d. 712), the last Vi ...

and

Alessandro Mazzinghi Alessandro "Sandro" Mazzinghi (3 October 1938 – 22 August 2020) was an Italian professional boxer who held the world light middleweight championship twice. Biography In 1961 Mazzinghi won the Military World Championships. The same year he t ...

. In a six-month span of 1973, Cassidy fought Dupree three times, for a total of 30 rounds. Both light heavyweights were ranked in the top 10 at the time. They fought to a draw in the first fight, Dupree won a split decision in the second fight and Cassidy won a unanimous decision in the third. The final meeting was held at Madison Square Garden's Felt Forum. Cassidy dropped Dupree three times in the fight. The Dupree fights were part of stretch during which Cassidy fought eight consecutive opponents ranked in the Top 10. Throughout his career he fought main events in both the old and current

Madison Square Garden Madison Square Garden, colloquially known as The Garden or by its initials MSG, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in New York City. It is located in Midtown Manhattan between Seventh and Eighth avenues from 31st to 33rd Street, above Pennsylva ...

. After his boxing career, Cassidy began training fighters and has worked with two world champions, WBC light heavyweight champion Donny Lalonde and WBO middleweight champion

Lonnie Bradley Lonnie Sterling Bradley (born September 16, 1968) is an American former boxing, boxer. Amateur career Born in Charleston, SC Bradley was an amateur standout and compiled a stellar career, capturing two New York Golden Gloves Championships. In 19 ...

. He also trained Ugandan contender Godfrey Nyakana. As an actor, Cassidy has appeared in three films, '' Rocky'', ''Uncle Joe Shannon'' and ''This Thing of Ours''. In 2007, his son, boxing writer Bobby Cassidy Jr., wrote a play, ''

Kid Shamrock ''Kid Shamrock'' is the Off Broadway play based on the life of former world rated boxing, boxer, "Irish" Bobby Cassidy. The story tells of Cassidy's struggle and subsequent triumph over alcoholism, alcohol. Cassidy lost a fight to Jorge Ahumada ...

'', based on his life and boxing career. It has been produced Off Broadway three times. In June 2007 at the Producers Club. In February 2011 at the Atlantic Theater Company, Stage 2, and in November–December 2011 at TADA! Theater. The cast has featured several former boxers, including John Duddy, Seamus McDonagh and Mark Breland. The most recent production was directed by former WBO heavyweight champion Michael Bentt. Cassidy was inducted into the New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame in 2001, the New York State Boxing Hall of Fame in 2013 and the Florida Boxing Hall of Fame in 2018.

External links

His page on boxrec.com *

An article about the play, Kid Shamrock

ESPN article about Kid Shamrock

ESPN article on NY Hall of Fame

New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame web site

Announcement 2018 Florida Boxing Hall of Fame {{DEFAULTSORT:Cassidy, Bobby 1944 births Living people American people of Irish descent American male boxers Light-heavyweight boxers