The newly crowned BBC Sports Personality of the Year for 2025 was back in the United States on Friday night, hours after lifting the trophy in Salford in England, as he attended the boxing exhibition between Anthony Joshua and internet personality Jake Paul in Miami.
Speaking to BBC Sport ahead of the fight at the Kaseya Center, the Co Down golfer laughed as he reflected on the frantic schedule that followed Thursday night’s ceremony.
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“Quick turnaround… flew from Manchester this morning about 9 o’clock, went home, freshened up and then came here,” he said. “Quick turnaround but a great couple of nights,” he said.
Asked whether watching Joshua and Paul had sparked any interest in boxing, McIlroy was emphatic. “Absolutely not,” he said. “I’m very happy to play golf for a living, I don’t want to take punches for a living.”
McIlroy had travelled directly from Florida to attend the BBC Sports Personality of the Year ceremony, following competition commitments at the Golf Channel Games earlier in the week. After winning the public vote on Thursday night, he returned to the United States on Friday morning.
Rory McIlory with Bela Bajaria (Chief Content Officer of Netflix) and Dave Portnoy (founder of Barstool Sports) at the Kaseya Center (Photo by Alexander Tamargo/Getty Images for Netflix)
Rory McIlroy shares special moment with daughter Poppy after Irish Open win
The 36-year-old became Northern Ireland’s fourth winner of the prestigious award, joining Lady Mary Peters (1972), Barry McGuigan (1985) and Sir Anthony McCoy (2010). He topped the public vote ahead of England rugby international Ellie Kildunne and Formula One world champion Lando Norris from a six-strong shortlist.
McIlroy’s victory capped a remarkable year which included Masters triumph at Augusta in April – completing the career Grand Slam – a homecoming Open Championship at Royal Portrush and Ryder Cup success with Team Europe.
During his acceptance speech, McIlroy described 2025 as “the year that I made my dreams come true”, paying tribute to his family for their support throughout his career.
“From Augusta to the Ryder Cup and everything else in between, it really has been the year that dreams are made of,” he said.
He thanked his parents, Rosie and Gerry, and his wife Erica and daughter Poppy, who were unable to attend the ceremony as they remained in the United States.
“They’re what holds me together, my rock,” McIlroy said. “They couldn’t be here tonight, but I can’t wait to get back to see them tomorrow and celebrate this with them as well.”
He also was a double winner on the night after Team Europe scooped Team of the Year for their performance in New York at the Ryder Cup earlier this year.