EDITOR’S LETTER
The complex and unforgiving role of the boxing trainer
In defence of the boxing trainers
PERHAPS more so than ever, the job of the boxing trainer is a thankless one. Preparing their charges for battle, the gruelling months of hard work, the planning, the fitness, the tactics and the mental coaching is just the start and, unfortunately, largely ignored if things don’t go to plan inside the ring. Over the last 12 months, the credentials of Joe Gallagher (Boxing News Trainer of the Year for 2015), Gary Lockett (who was shortlisted for the same award in the same year) and 2016 winner Shane Mcguigan were called into question following high-profile losses, and, tragically, Lockett was left with the unthinkable burden of his fighter (and friend, let’s not forget) being seriously injured.
This weekend, Gallagher and Lockett will be in the spotlight again as their boxers, Liam Smith and Liam Williams respectively, collide in one of the most intriguing domestic showdowns of the year so far. Make no mistake, the better fighter on the night will win (a stinker of a decision or freak occurrence withstanding) but whether the ‘better’ coach will also triumph is unprovable.
While the trainer is arguably the second most important member of the team behind the fighter, their ability to actually change the course of a contest is minimal once the fight actually begins. Again, their role is vital, but only pivotal if the fighter themselves is willing to listen and, more pertinently, able to dramatically change what they’re doing. Often the trainer can say exactly the right things, offer exactly the right advice, only for the fighter to be unable or unwilling to carry out the instructions. Yes, the counter point can then be made that great trainers make themselves heard, think about Angelo Dundee’s legendary “You’re blowing it, son!” speech, but then not every fighter is Sugar Ray Leonard.
The murkier area is when a fighter should be pulled out, and in this week’s issue, both Gallagher and Lockett address that subject in two of the most gripping interviews you’ll read.
In Gallagher’s case, he was severely criticised on social media following his touted prospect Marcus Morrison’s recent loss to Jason Welborn. While a strong case can certainly be made for Morrison to have been pulled out, Gallagher kept him in the bout because he believed in his fighter’s ability to turn it round. Likewise Lockett, who was harassed by despicable ‘fans’ after Nick Blackwell’s defeat to Chris Eubank Jnr last year, felt that Blackwell could – as he had done on several occasions – find a way back. Don’t forget, the trainer usually knows their fighter exceptionally well, and decisions are often made – under high pressure – with knowledge and experience of their abilities in mind.
This isn’t a plea to not offer an opinion by the way, fans who pay their money to watch should have that right, it’s just a reminder that the fight we observe, and then analyse with hindsight is just the final sum of many parts. On these pages a few weeks ago I (respectfully) wrote that I believed Mcguigan – an exceptional young coach – should have rescued David Haye when he became a one-legged fighter. But it should not be doubted that Mcguigan had faith in his fighter pulling off the one-punch finish and, perhaps more importantly, was told by Haye several times that the fight must continue. These cases are not black and white.
Fighters often come from behind to win, and every fight should not be stopped the moment a boxer starts to lose his way. And unfortunately, not every decision a trainer makes will be the right one.
Trainers are there to give their charges the best chance of victory, and if they can’t do that, to keep them safe and well. If anyone believes that the likes of Gallagher, Lockett and Mcguigan would ever gamble on the former, knowing it’s at the expense of the latter, then I’d suggest they’re barking up the wrong tree. Just ask the fighters who employ them - because the one thing we can be certain when it comes to blame, is that none will come from Morrison, Blackwell or Haye.