When Michael Conlan fights Leigh Wood this week for the WBA featherweight world title, Saturday, March 12th, at 11 am PST on DAZN, we thought this would be a great time to look back at the greatest Irish boxers and fighters, as Conlan hopes to join this list, this week.

01) Conor McGregor

Accomplishments: It would take a tour-de-force to uproot Conor McGregor as the greatest Irish fighter ever, as he is the fighting pride of Ireland despite being a mixed martial artist. A larger-than-life persona, who knocked out opponents quickly, called his shot against a generational great in Jose Aldo and stopped the long-reigning champion in mere seconds in a moment that seemingly shocked the world.

McGregor would move up a weight class and knockout the lightweight world champion, Eddie Alvarez to be a two-belt UFC world champion, holding both belts at the same time. McGregor would box against Floyd Mayweather in a marquee bout, that got people excited. McGregor became bigger than the UFC – a star in his own right, and wearing the Irish flag the whole time.

McGregor was a madman, one the country of Ireland loved, as at his best he was controlled chaos, and now it appears, he might simply just be chaos.

Titles: UFC featherweight and lightweight champion (first to hold both at the same time), Cage Warriors world champion at featherweight and lightweight.

McGregor’s record in world title fights is 7-2.

Criticism: Constantly in trouble with the law in periods of his career, seeming after beating Eddie Alvarez, and after fighting Floyd Mayweather his mind, and interest left the sport of MMA. Not much to dislike during his in cage run, but outside of the ring, was far from a role model.

02) Katie Taylor

Accomplishments: An Olympic gold medalist as well as the woman who essentially showed DAZN women’s boxing matters, Katie Taylor, is an undisputed world champion in the lightweight division, and a figurehead in the movement for women to get equal treatment in the sport of boxing.

Not just did she face the best, she sold more than the men on her cards, and unlike Heather Hardy, a big-ticket seller, Taylor got credit for her success.

Taylor changed women’s boxing for the better, and her run going alongside Conor McGregor ignited a generation of Irish fight fans.

Titles: Sofya Ochigava (2012 Olympic Gold Medal), Anahi Ester Sanchez (WBA 135 lbs), Victoria Bustos (IBF 135 lbs), Rose Volante (WBO 135 lbs), Delfine Persoon (WBC 135 lbs). She had made five world title defenses holding all four of the major belts.

9-0, 1 KO

Criticism: Favoritism. The Persoon fight was close, and many feel Taylor got every benefit the doubt being a big-ticket seller, as well as Chantelle Cameron moved up to super-lightweight feeling as though she would never get a fight with Taylor.

03) Barry McGuigan

Accomplishments: “Leave the fighting to McGuigan” would be a saying used prior to McGuigan’s fights, as he was a long-standing advocate to end the violence between the Catholics and Protestants. An Irish folk-hero, McGuigan defeated Eusebio Pedroza, who held the world title for nine-years, not unlike when Conor McGregor defeated long-reigning world champion Jose Aldo. McGuigan was the first truly global Irish boxing star.

Titles: Eusebio Pedroza (WBA 126 lbs)

McGuigan’s record in world title fights 3-1, 2 KOs.

Criticism: His career was not all that long. McGuigan became a world champion, and quickly got out of the sport not long after. History often rewards longevity as much as it does accomplishments, and McGuigan simply had a cup of coffee in the pro game seemingly with a career total of 35 fights, in an era in which guys fought A LOT.

04) Steve Collins

Accomplishments: If one man can be accredited for the psychological advantages over his opponent like Conor McGregor it would be Steve Collins. When Collins fought Chris Eubank, who he would beat, he put headphones on, and a hood, so despite a big entrance from Chris Eubank – Collins ignored the brash and cocky fighter. Collins was as tough as they come and on paper, still to this day might have the best resume of any Irish fighter. It is too bad that a fight with Roy Jones Jr. got away from him.

Titles: Chris Pyatt (WBO 160 lbs) and Chris Eubank (WBO 168 lbs.)

Criticism: No fault of his own, but he fought in an era in which the world wasn’t as connected as it is now. Collins would have benefited from a DAZN or a global sports partner, but was a part of the European tough guy era, that Guy Ritchie depicted in his films of the timeframe.

05) Jimmy McLarnin

Accomplishments: A world champion in the one belt welterweight era, it is hard to tell if he could have been as successful in the modern era. One of the fighters who laid the groundwork for future Irish fighters, as well as someone who saved his money. Had some classics with Barney Ross, and fought in front of big crowds, as well as didn’t know where he was born, Ireland or Northern Ireland – and yes, that is a HUGE difference.

Title Wins: Welterweight World Champion In One Belt Era

McLarnin was 2-3 in world title fights.

Criticism: Just how good was he? McLarnin was elite, but I am not sure he merits being #3 on BoxRec’s list of welterweights. In boxing, especially when making lists finding obscure fighters who it is hard to watch, tends to get moved up the list. It is hard to really place McLarnin in the upper-tier as just too much is unknown.

06) Rinty Monaghan

Accomplishments: Not many flyweight boxers have a statue after themselves, and Monaghan does in Belfast nonetheless. One of Ireland’s first major draws, as he would fill up Belfast’s King’s Hall. Before Michael Carabajal, “Finito” Lopez, and Roman Gonzalez filled up arenas, we had Rinty Monaghan.

Titles: Jackie Paterson (World Flyweight Title) – one belt era.

Criticism: He was too kind outside of the ring, and lost a lot of his money sadly trying to help others. That is really the only fault you can have.

07) Nonpareil Jack Dempsey

Accomplishments: Fighting before the world knew what a jab was in 1887, Nonpareil Jack Dempsey would have needed a modern trainer to adjust to this new era, but his spirit is that of the Irish, and what Irish fans love. Pressure, pressure and even more pressure. He was non-stop action, and far from soft. Dempsey was something that they don’t make anymore, a fearless fighter. The nonpareil came from without equal, as he was the best around in his era.

Title: The first middleweight world champion ever.

Criticism: It is hard to look at what he did and compare it to modern fighters as the sport has changed so much.

08) Dave McAuley

Accomplishment: One of the great modern flyweights, who could box, but also had the heart to bang. McAuley in his classic bouts showed a little bit of everything, but gave the fans true entertainment. A forgotten great in a weight class that until the past decade often got forgotten, but the greatness of Roman Gonzalez has made it a glamour dviision

Titles: Duke Mackenzie (IBF 112 lbs)

Criticism: A very short career of 23 professional bouts before calling it a day. I think it is also a bit of a shock that he only one world title as well.

09) Carl Frampton

Accomplishments: Frampton was the best of his era at the lower weights in Europe, better than his rival Quigg, and made great strides in America as well. Frampton was a famous fighter in his weight class and had great status, and marquee bouts though it is hard to some up. Simply put just go back and watch first Leo Santa Cruz. When Frampton was on, he looked amazing.

Titles: Kiko Martinez (IBF 122 lbs), Scott Quigg (WBA 122 lbs) and Leo Santa Cruz (WBA 126 lbs)

Frampton is 5-3, 1 KO in world title fights.

Criticism: Frampton didn’t fight Guillermo Rigondeaux at 122 lbs when holding two world titles, and never looked like the same guy from the first Leo Santa Cruz fight again, after that win and winning boxer of the year.

10) Wayne McCullough

Accomplishments: An Olympic silver medalist who won a world title at a lower weight class, and a had a whole heap of a lot of power. McCullough was a part of big fights against Erik Morales and “Prince” Naseem Hamed.

Title: 1992 Olympic Silver Medalist, Yasuei Yakushiji (WBC 118 lbs)

Criticism: With such amateur pedigree, the hopes of McCullough, a/k/a “The Pocket Rocket” was to be a potential all-time great, but sadly, it seems after the Daniel Zaragoza fight, McCullough could never live up to his true promise against world-class competition.

Honorable Mention:

Johnny Caldwell, Andy Lee, Bernard Dunne, Mike McTigue, Tom Sharkey