[1] Born in Hartlepool, Feeney learned to box at the Boys Welfare gym, and made his professional debut in August 1977.
In October 1980, he faced Ricky Beaumont in a British lightweight title eliminator and lost a narrow points decision.
In March 1981, he stopped Winston Spencer in the ninth round of another title eliminator; and in January, 1982, beat Ken Buchanan on points in what was the latter's final (official) fight.
[2] He got his shot at the British title in October that year, against defending champion Ray Cattouse at the Royal Albert Hall.
Feeney was decisively beaten on points the following month, however, by Howard Davis Jr.[1][3][4] Back in England he made the first defence of his British title in December, 1983 against Tony Willis, stopping the challenger in the first round.