Boxing: Coach Joe Gallagher announces cancer diagnosis
2025-02-13
Category: sports

Boxing coach Joe Gallagher has revealed he has been diagnosed with stage four bowel and liver cancer.Gallagher, 56, has trained a host of world champions including Natasha Jonas and Anthony Crolla.The Englishman, who received his diagnosis in November, has begun chemotherapy."It's been a lot to take in over these past few months. I just wanted to carry on as normal as possible while I tried to process thing," Gallagher said."I would like to say no matter how busy life gets, your health should always come first."We can overlook things and put things off because we're always so 'busy', but ultimately there's nothing more important than your health."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 - please go and get checked, as it could save your life."Gallagher praised the support of his family and fighters, with Jonas scheduled to fight Lauren Price on 7 March in London in a welterweight unification bout."I know I have to prioritise my health at this time, yet boxing is giving me that bit of escapism I need right now. As I go through my own battle, being around an incredible team of fighters is helping me continue to do what I love," he said."I've only just begun my fightback against this disease, there's still so much I am processing, which is very hard to talk about right now; it's also a very difficult time for my family and friends too."Gallagher won Ring Magazine trainer of the year in 2015. He was the first British born coach to win the award.Gallagher has trained six world champions including Callum Smith, Liam Smith, Paul Butler and Lawrence Okolie.