JOE GALLAGHER is the first trainer to twice be named the Boxing News British Trainer of the Year after picking up his award at last Friday’s (September 27) British Boxing Board of Control Awards. The awards take into consideration the period from August 1, 2018 to July 31, 2019 which is in keeping with the traditional British boxing season.
Gallagher had been shortlisted for the award alongside Ben Davison, Martin Bowers, Sean O’Hagan and Grant Smith.
In the time frame, Gallagher was in the corner when Callum Smith – a fighter Joe has trained since he turned professional – proved he was the best super-middleweight in the world when he defeated George Groves last September. Overall, the coaching record of Gallagher (who also trains Paul Butler, Liam Smith, Anthony Crolla, Stephen Smith, Callum Smith, Sam Hyde, Hosea Burton and Natasha Jonas) for the season was 16-3. The Joe Gallagher Academy, which focuses on the development of 16-19-year-olds, has also gone from the strength to strength.
Gallagher, who with his Academy has also been shortlisted for two This Is Manchester Awards, was visibly moved to get the Trainer of the Year honour at the Royal Lancaster hotel in London. He spoke of his family and his fighters before inviting his mum on to stage to share the moment.
“I was so, so pleased to win,” Gallagher told Boxing News. “Plenty of people have asked if I knew I was going to get the award. I didn’t know. So, if I didn’t know why was my mum there? She was there because I thought to myself, ‘What if I never get nominated again?’ I wanted her to see the awards, she’s a boxing fan, and it’s been a tough year for the family.
“When I got there, I could see that Ben Davison was there and I thought he was going to win. He’s had a great year with Tyson Fury. Same with Grant [Smith] who was there with Charlie Edwards. So I feel very blessed and humbled to have won it this year because it was a very strong year.”
The biggest winner on the night was Callum Smith, who won the Boxer of the Year award. It was a close-fought contest with Tyson Fury, Josh Warrington, Charlie Edwards and Kal Yafai all on the illustrious shortlist.
Contest of the Year went to Warrington’s stirring victory over Carl Frampton in December. The other bouts considered were Johnny Garton-Gary Corcoran, Scott Fitzgerald-Anthony Fowler, Josh Taylor-Ivan Baranchyk and Steven Ward-Liam Conroy.
Oleksandr Usyk was named as the Overseas Boxer of the Year. Nayoa Inoue and Sergio Garcia were also nominated.
Other winners on the night were: Former BBB of C referee John Keane, who was given the Special Recognition Award; Dr Ashwin Patel – a long-term ringside doctor – picked up the Sir Henry Cooper Services to Boxing Award; and Josh Taylor was named as the winner of the Dennie Mancini Trophy, which recognises excellence in former Commonwealth champions.
RINGSIDE REST AND CARE
At last! After confirmation last week that we were to granted charity status, it is now official. We now have our charity number and registered with the Charity Commission. The trustees will be meeting next week to put together the next stage which will involve high-profile events as we close in on our target for 2019. Next year promises to be even bigger and better. RR&C are still seeking sponsors for the Abbey Road Studios hire on November 24 this year so we can record the BOXAID track. Former and present champions are ready to unleash their finest singing voices and make this one to remember. So please if you can help, get in touch with Karen (secretary) 07766886580 or Paul (treasurer) 07752322248 – REMEMBER WE CAN NOW USE GIFT AID! We are also looking for RR&C HEROES to be collectors at boxing events around the country – you will be provided with an official lanyard and photo ID card and a sealed box to promote Ringside Rest and Care – making more and more boxing fans aware of what we are going to achieve. Come join us and get involved. We’re going to make history together.
