HIGHLY respected trainer Brendan Ingle has died at the age of 77, the British Boxing Board of Control confirmed today.

The Irishman became one of the domestic fight scene’s most influential figures during a decorated career in which he trained four world champions, including Naseem Hamed and Johnny Nelson.

His gym in Wincobank, Sheffield continued to thrive when his sons Dominic and John assumed control, but it is Brendan Ingle who is still credited with inspiring its success.

Ingle’s success and that of his fighters owed much to his unique methods. If not the highest profile, Nelson perhaps represents Ingle’s biggest success in the way he was transformed into a world champion having lost his first three fights.

Nelson was among those to pay tribute to Dublin-born Ingle.

“A good, good man has left this earth today,” Nelson said on social media. “A good friend. A good father figure. And the best trainer in the world.”

Dave Coldwell, another of Britain’s leading trainers, said: “The man that started me off on the road to where I am. He changed so many lives that were going nowhere and did so much for the sport of boxing in the UK. Thoughts with his family, friends and all the fighters he worked with.”

British heavyweight Tony Bellew said: “Brendan Ingle has left a legacy that very few can ever compare to, so sad.”
 

Former European champ Dean Francis loses battle with cancer

FORMER European super-middleweight champion Dean Francis has died at the age of 44, the British Boxing Board of Control has confirmed.

He was diagnosed with terminal cancer in January 2017, and had been given just months to live.

Francis, who is survived by his wife Ghalia and son Rocco, also won English, British and Commonwealth titles during a career in which he also fought at light-heavyweight and cruiserweight.

Joe Calzaghe considered Francis, who retired four years ago, the finest British fighter to never win a world title, and the British boxing community has paid tribute to the Bristolian.