Boxer’s heartache as brother takes own life weeks after he undergoes career-ending brain tumour operation
HEARTBROKEN boxer Peter McDonagh has revealed his brother has taken his own life – just days after the former Irish champ had surgery to remove a brain tumour.
McDonagh, who is a former three-weight belt-holder, posted the devastating news on his Twitter account.
The 41-year-old wrote: “As I start my road to recovery my brother starts his road to my sister never got over her he took his life to be with her yesterday RIP #till I see you again x keep spreading that message.”
McDonagh’s sister, Tish, who encouraged him to turn professional, died from breast cancer at the age of 43 back in 2013.
After a pro boxing career that started back in 2002, McDonagh, nicknamed “The Cinderella Man”, was forced to retire earlier this month after a tumour was discovered in his brain.
He had a 15-hour operation on March 12 that was successful, and will now undergo a six-to-nine month rehabilitation period.
A Crowdfunding website has been set up to raise £20,000 “to help support Peter McDonagh and his family through the fight of his life”.
It continues: “In January 2019 3 x 3 weight Irish boxing champion Peter Mcdonagh was out of the blue diagnosed with a serious brain tumour know as acoustic neuroma.
“Having boxed in over 50 professional fights all over the world this is without doubt the fight of his life.
“Removal of the tumour required a 15 hour operation which thank god happened successfully on Tuesday 12th March.
Lets get together and donate to help a true fighter during the hardest fight of his life
Peter McDonagh's Crowdfunding campaign
“There are a lot of potential side affects to the surgery and once recovered Peter will start an intense 6-9 month rehabilitation process with the incredible staff at St Georges Hospital in London.
“Peter has given so much to boxing over the last 25 years so friends, family and supporters of boxing lets get together and donate to help a true fighter during the hardest fight of his life.
“Please donate whatever you can afford to help fund Peter’s rehabilitation and to help him and the girls financially through this horrific time.”
McDonagh has a wife and two young daughters.
Friend and former heavyweight world champion Tyson Fury has previously showed his support by posting a photo of McDonagh post surgery, saying that he is “thinking of this man”.
McDonagh’s life has been a full of ups and downs after moving to England aged six.
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His mother, an alcoholic, walked out on the family just six months after they moved over from Connemara, Ireland.
Then when he was in his 20s he was put on remand at the notorious Belmarsh prison in London, accused of attempted murder.
After holing up with disgraced former MP Jeffrey Archer for a year, McDonagh was found not guilty of all charges and released before throwing himself into his boxing.