Trainer Joe gets a Civic Reception
“THIS is such an honour for me to receive a Civic Reception in my parents’ home county, it means so, so much,” said an emotional Joe Gallagher on Thursday last. It’s been a rather unforgettable year for the 47- year- old Manchester- born pro boxing trainer, who also scooped one of the top accolades in the sport back in January. His name is massive in the boxing world and he’s trained numerous world champions and brought fighters to the Olympics. Five of the best boxers in the world are in Gallagher’s Gym, including WBA world lightweight champion, Anthony Crolla. This Saturday sees his boxer Scott Quigg take on Carl Frampton in a much- hyped fight which is live on Sky Sports Box Office. That duel is garnering plenty of media attention across the pond.
Joe told The Sligo Champion: “I got the letter that I was going to have a Civic Reception in Sligo before Christmas and I couldn’t believe it. Then in January I was named Trainer of the Year by The Ring magazine. It’s based in America and is the main magazine for boxing. In terms of what it means to me, it could be compared to being knighted or that,” Joe said. He was also the first British- born person to receive the award. Joe’s parents, Joseph and Kathleen, come from Cuilmore near Gurteen and he has three sisters living here too. “There’s loads of family members around Sligo, I’ve been coming here since I was a kid and it’s good to do something like this that makes my parents proud. It’s a fantastic honour to receive,” he added.
“It’s been a fantastic year for me. Getting invited to this event here in City Hall, Sligo, was incredible. When I got the letter I thought it was a wind up to be honest! Then to be named Trainer of the Year by The Ring magazine really topped it off.”
And that was truly remarkable in boxing terms as Joe fought off competition from other lauded trainers including Peter Fury, Floyd Mayweather Snr, Abel Sanchez, and Arnulfo Obando.
Joe also saw charges Scott Quigg retain his world title, while Liam Smith also picked up the same honour. Joe had a successful boxing career and his move into training certainly isn’t going too badly either.
He speaks with incredible passion when talking about his beloved sport which he was introduced to at an early age.
“I took up boxing when I was eleven. It was one of my mates that encouraged me to do it. I was doing karate at the time and he was joking in the playground that he’d win a fight with me so that kind of egged me really!”
He continued: “I joined a boxing club and I guess the rest is history. I remember when I was young watching boxing on the telly with my dad - seeing all the greats like Muhammad Ali and just being in awe,” he said.
Joe started training when he was 22 and says bringing lads from as young as ten right through to scooping titles or reaching the Beijing Olympics is an incredible feeling.
His gym is recognised as one of the best gyms in the world and he praised his boxers for their hard work.“I have ten boxers, nine of which are Championship fighters, they are fantastic athletes.
“The likes of brothers Stephen and Calum Smith from Liverpool, Anthony ( Crolla) was hit across the head and suffered a fractured skull trying to ward off burglars in his neighbour’s home. He came back from that horrific injury and a year later was World Champion, what an incredible success story that was,” Joe revealed.
Onto Saturday’s fight between Quigg and Frampton in Manchester and Joe seems to be taking it in his stride. “There’s been a lot in the media but what I say is don’t believe all what Barry ( McGuigan) says! It’s going to be a great fight.” Barry’s son, Shane is Frampton’s coach and is stirring the pot somewhat needless to say.
Joe has many proud moments over the years and there’s more on the horizon no doubt. “Bringing young lads on from eleven or that and seeing them do so well. Seeing Matthew Macklin win a British title makes me proud. Boxing has been very good to me but you have to put in the work, without that you won’t get the results.
“You have to take it all, the ups and the downs when it comes to sport and really believe in yourself and what you can achieve. I’m planning on winning more World titles and have my boxers, such as the Smith brothers from Liverpool fighting for World titles. “It’s about achieving potential to the highest level, five of mine are in the top ten. Over in England, the shows are flying, there’s 12 World Champions. It’s going well in Ireland too, with Jason Quigley, the Conlan boys, Katie Taylor of course. With the Olympics in Rio round the corner, this will push boxing on even further,” Joe added.