Joe Gallagher underlines the GREAT in Britain

As legendary Heavyweight Champion Vitali Klitschko once said: ”In chess nobody is an expert, but everyone plays, while in Boxing everyone is an expert, but nobody fights.”

Manchester`s Joe Gallagher is a Coach of genius and a hands on Achiever. He has guided the careers of the Who`s Who in British Boxing, namely: Callum and Liam Smith, steering them to fights against Saul ”Canelo” Alvarez, Scott Quigley, Anthony Crolla, Callum Johnson, Natasha Jonas, Matthew Macklin, Paul Butler and Charlie Edwards.

In the history of Boxing, there are some truly great British boxing Coaches. The pantheon includes: Jim ”The Bishop” Wicks, Terry Lawless, Eddie Thomas, Tommy Buchanan, Jimmy Tibbs, Denny Mancini, Andy Smith, Brendan ingle, George Francis, Doug Bidwell, Pat Lynch, Enzo Calzaghe, Rob McCracken, Ben Davidson, Sean McGuigan and Ron Gray to name but a few. But ONLY Joe Gallagher has won The Ring Magazine Trainer of the Year. He did this in 2015.

That… is the Mark of The Man!

Joe who is fifty six, has faced and triumphed over so many challenges explained his philosophy thus: ”You are trying to be better all the time. It`s down to hard work, perseverance, dedication and a will to get to the top.”

As with so many of us, Joe fell in love with boxing as a child, watching and marvelling at the wonderous God given skills of Muhammad Ali. And then he wanted to go down to the gym and lace on the gloves himself. He recalls: ”I said to my Dad, there`s a new boxing gym in Wythenshawe. I was only ten years old, my Dad took me down there and that was that! I`ve been stuck with it ever since.”

A gifted amateur boxer, Joe was inspired by Coaches Jimmy Egan and Phil Martin. One was traditional Old School, while the other was eager to embrace all the technical advances sport has to offer. Joe started with amateur boxers and then progressed to the pro ranks, developing world beaters.

Joe has two gyms in Moss Side and Bolton. He has opened the Joe Gallagher Academy in Manchester to help and encourage young people with stars in the eyes, keeping their feet on the ground. In 2023 Joe was asked by His Excellency Turki Alalshikh to run The Mike Tyson Gym in Saudi Arabia. As the Carly SImon song belts out: Nobody Does It Better!

Then a veritable and terrible body blow Last November and Joe`s public announcement in February that he has stage four liver and bowel cancer and is receiving chemotherapy treatment. He said: ”I didn`t have any major symptoms, so if you feel something isn`t right, no matter how small, please don`t put it off. Go and get checked. It could save your life.

”I want to thank my Family, friends, fighters and all the people I`ve been able to confide in so far on this journey. As I go through my own battle being around an incredible team, helping continue to do, what I so love to do.”

The qualities of a truly Great Trainer is a person who is inspirational, nurturing, perceptive, motivational, firm yet compassionate. There are times when saving a fighter in problems, under fire and in distress, although they would be the very last person to admit it, is the humane action. Treating him or her with the love, tenderness and consideration of a son or daughter. That is what separates the men form the boys and the greats from the mediocre of self interest. A Real Coach!

Joe Gallagher is An All Time Great.

The World Boxing Council very recently presented Joe with a Trainer`s Green and Gold Belt. It`s in the shape of a towel which is habitually draped over a trainer`s shoulders entwined with the responsibility of being there for his fighter. It has been so well and so deservedly earned.

Most of us will face a monumental challenge at least once, during our lifetime. It is a defining moment, testing our character, our determination and our fortitude. As the Great Jack Dempsey so famously said: ”A Champion is someone who gets up when he can`t.” Joe, we are here for you, we`re in your corner and with you during your tremendous fight.