Manchester’s renowned trainer, Joe Gallagher, is currently facing a formidable opponent outside the ring: a battle against bowel and liver cancer. Gallagher, just 56, has been bravely confronting this challenge since November, demonstrating remarkable resilience and mental fortitude.
Despite his situation, Gallagher remains committed to his work, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing health—a lesson he hopes others will heed. Among the talented fighters he mentors is heavyweight contender Lawrence Okolie, a former cruiserweight and bridgerweight champion. Okolie is determined to honor his coach by becoming Gallagher’s first heavyweight world champion.
Though Gallagher has guided several fighters—like Anthony Crolla, Scott Quigg, Natasha Jonas, and the Smith brothers—to world titles in the lighter divisions, a heavyweight title has eluded him so far.
On April 5, Okolie is set to face Richard Riakporhe, aiming to change that. In an interview with The Ring, Okolie expressed his commitment to securing a heavyweight title for Gallagher. Okolie, with a record of 22 wins, 1 loss, and a strong showing in his heavyweight debut, is confident in his ability to overcome Riakporhe and eventually clinch a world championship.
Reflecting on his trainer’s battle, Okolie shared, “I found out a few weeks ago about Joe’s fight with cancer. We were discussing my next match when he felt it was time to tell me. I assured him that I’m not just focused on the April fight; I want to win a heavyweight title for him, as he hasn’t had one yet.”
It’s hard not to rally behind Okolie—and all of Gallagher’s protégés—as they pursue their careers. Seeing Okolie rise to become a world heavyweight champion would be a fitting tribute to Joe Gallagher’s enduring legacy.
Yet, Joe himself isn’t backing down from his own fight anytime soon. Here’s to hoping that Gallagher continues to witness many more of his fighters achieving world champion status in the coming years.
