DESPITE the ignorance of a few ignorant boxing fans, Sheffield’s Dave Coldwell is a boxing trainer. In fact, he’s a very good one. A bulging client list that once included Sheffield pair, Ryan Rhodes and Kell Brook, Coldwell’s window for preparation opportunities has been a small one in recent times with the Yorkshire man dedicating a vast amount of his hectic schedule to promoting and managing. When Liverpool’s Tony Bellew made the call to Coldwell’s busy line enquiring whether he’d like to put the pads back on, the man who played a part in George Groves’ phenomenal rise had no doubts about what his answer would be.
“I’ll be honest, I had no intention of training fighters once the promotional stuff got serious,” revealed Coldwell. “I was missing it a lot but the speed at which Coldwell Boxing took off made me prioritise that but I always told myself that a special chance would be enough to get me back in the gym and Tony is that chance. We’ve known each other a long time, a really long time, and our ideas on boxing are very similar. When he came to me, I didn’t need to be asked twice and so far it’s been a decision that I’m glad I made.”
Bellew’s decision to join forces with Coldwell arose following a successful stint with former amateur coach, Mick McAllister, which ended amicably shortly before the Everton fanatic’s cruiserweight bow against Valery Brudov in spring. That was Coldwell’s first night assisting Bellew and he’ll also be the man given the task of arranging the strategy to defeat Nathan Cleverly, who Bellew will inevitably face before the year’s end. First up for “Bomber” is Brazilian puncher, Julio Cesar Dos Santos, at the Liverpool Echo Arena on July 12 and Coldwell is excited about watching his man’s gym form be transferred to the zone that most matters.
“Tony has made a great start in getting where I want him to be and every single day he’s showing quality progress. His hunger and will to win is like nothing I’ve ever seen and as long as he keeps showing the same commitment then there’s no way he can be denied from getting everything he wants out of this sport. We’re both looking forward to July 12 as it’s a chance for Tony to show everyone what we’ve been working on and when we come through that then we’re onto the big one, Bellew v Cleverly. That’s the one Tony wants, it’s the one I want and I’m sure it’s the one that every boxing fan wants.”
