Philippines, 05 Aug 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


"THE HAWAIIAN PUNCH" ANDY GANIGAN


PhilBoxing.com


Although he was one of the most dangerous lightweights of his era. Andrew Ganigan of Hawaii was not blessed with the best of chins. His live by the sword, die by the sword style of fighting made him a crowd pleasing favorite. In most cases Andy got to his opponent first thus allowing him to fight to the top of the ratings.

A nineteen year old Ganigan turned professional in 1972. Through 1977 he won his first 25 fights. He won 23 by KO! Among his feats were a two round demolition of Tury "The Fury" Pineda and an eighth round stoppage of Vincente Mijares Saldivar for the NABF lightweight crown. In 1978 Andy met Chicago's rough and tough Johnny Lira. The tenacious Lira outlasted Ganigan to score a stoppage victory. This fight was for the USBA lightweight title.

In 1979 Andy defeated Mijares Saldivar again for the NABF title. Then in a major upset, Ganigan was halted in seven rounds by Roberto Vasquez. In a 1980 rematch Andy turned the tables stopping Vasquez in seven. In 1981 Ganigan was outscored by highly regarded Rodolfo "Gato" Gonzalez. Popular Sean O'Grady had failed in a bloody attempt to win the WBC lightweight title from Jim Watt. Later Sean challenged WBA titlist Hilmer Kenty. In a true "closet classic", O'Grady outscored Kenty to win the title. Due to complicated boxing politics Sean either gave up or was stripped of recognition by the WBA. Enter Sean's father Pat O'Grady who formed the World Athletic Association (WAA). Sean would defend that title against Ganigan. It was a disaster for O'Grady who was floored three times by the explosive Ganigan. The fight ended in round two with Sean shell shocked.

Andy had no use for the WAA title but used the victory over O'Grady as a springboard to a 1982 fight with Alexis Arguello. The great Arguello had won the WBC lightweight title by defeating Watt. Ganigan shocked the crowd and Arguello by flooring Alexis in the first round. Arguello had power equal to or better then Ganigan's though. Soon Alexis overpowered Andy and stopped the game Hawaiian in round five. In 1983 Ganigan would challenge the clever Kronkster Jimmy Paul for the USBA lightweight crown. Paul would halt Ganigan in round six and Andy would hang up the gloves.

Andy had lost three of his last four fights but no one who witnessed it will forget his two round slaughter of O'Grady. In all Ganigan had 39 fights. His final record was 34-5 with 30 big knockouts. During his tenure as a contender he was a force to be reckoned with!


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Jim Amato.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • THRILLA IN MANILA GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 11 - ALI GETS BACK HIS BOXING LICENSE, WINS OVER QUARRY, BONAVENA AND ELLIS
    By Maloney L. Samaco, , Tue, 05 Aug 2025
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 4 AUGUST 2025: Canizales Stops Pradabsri in Caracas; Duarte Outpoints Sims; Prograis Edges Diaz; Ancajas Wins in US Return
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 05 Aug 2025
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimàn: Unforgettable Moments with the Champions
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Tue, 05 Aug 2025
  • IT’S A “HOMECOMING” FOR FIVE-TIME WORLD TITLE CHALLENGER MARICELA CORNEJO FRIDAY, AUGUST 8 AT LEGENDS CASINO
    , Tue, 05 Aug 2025
  • HERNANDEZ STOPS GARNETT IN TENTH ROUND IN MAIN EVENT OF CHRISTY MARTIN PROMOTIONS’ “MAYHEM IN MUSIC CITY 2”
    , Tue, 05 Aug 2025
  • YOELVIS GOMEZ READY TO SHINE IN RETURN BOUT AGAINST EDWINE HUMAINE JUNIOR
    , Tue, 05 Aug 2025
  • Team USA’s Youth High Performance Team made a major statement in Germany
    , Tue, 05 Aug 2025
  • Adam wins 2nd BBG 300 Ultra Marathon
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 05 Aug 2025
  • Legendary boxing trainer John Brown honored by Kansas City Royals
    , Tue, 05 Aug 2025
  • All or nothing for Jerwin
    By Joaquin Henson, , Mon, 04 Aug 2025
  • Triumphant Return: Jerwin Ancajas Defeats Casero in Los Angeles, Good Job!
    By Carlos Costa, , Mon, 04 Aug 2025
  • IM Concio Sweeps Kamatyas Open
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 04 Aug 2025
  • OSCAR "LA MIGRAÑA" DUARTE STUNS HOMETOWN FAVORITE KENNETH “BOSSMAN” SIMS JR. WITH MAJORITY DECISION VICTORY
    , Sun, 03 Aug 2025
  • JERWIN ANCAJAS DEFEATS RUBEN CASERO IN CALIFORNIA
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 03 Aug 2025
  • The Bout Outside The Ring: Boxing and the Filipino Struggle for Legitimacy
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Sun, 03 Aug 2025
  • Filipino FIDE Master Roel Abelgas finishes second in Hongkong rapid chess
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 03 Aug 2025
  • Cañizales defeats Pradabsri and wins WBC title in Venezuela
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 02 Aug 2025
  • PH's Nouri snags blitz gold in Asian Amateur Chess Championship
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 02 Aug 2025
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimàn: The Boxer
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Sat, 02 Aug 2025
  • Duarte vs. Sims Jr. Title Eliminator Official: All Fighters Make Weight in Chicago
    , Sat, 02 Aug 2025
  • ALLEN v MAKHMUDOV, SUGAR NUNEZ IN MEXICO AND MORE AS MATCHROOM BOXING CONFIRMS HUGE AUTUMN LINE-UP – LIVE ON DAZN
    , Sat, 02 Aug 2025
  • Undaloc Jr. leads BBG 300 Ultra Marathon
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 02 Aug 2025
  • Round One: Dr. Bernard Remollino Brings Pancho Villa Back Into the Ring
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Fri, 01 Aug 2025
  • Panya Pradabsri, Carlos Cañizales Make Weight for WBC 108 World Title Rematch in Venezuela
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 01 Aug 2025
  • “NOWHERE TO RUN” OSCAR “LA MIGRAÑA” DUARTE VS. KENNETH “BOSSMAN” SIMS FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
    , Fri, 01 Aug 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.