Legendary boxing coach Joe Gallagher announces he's in 'very hard' cancer battle

Boxing coach Joe Gallagher, 56, revealed he has been diagnosed with stage four bowel and liver cancer.

Gallagher, who has trained a number of world champions, including Natasha Jonas, Anthony Crolla, Callum Smith, Liam Smith, Paul Butler and Lawrence Okolie, received his diagnosis in November and 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 added his thanks to his family and fighters for their support, saying: "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.

"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."

One of his star fighters, Jonas, is due to fight Lauren Price on March 7 in London in a welterweight unification bout. Meanwhile, Former WBO cruiserweight champion and heavyweight star Okolie is scheduled to fight Richard Riakporhe in Manchester on April 5, close to where Gallagher began his career as a trainer over two decades ago in gyms in Bolton and Moss Side.

Gallagher became the first British coach to win Ring Magazine Trainer of the Year in 2015 due to his work with Scott Quigg, Liam Smith and Crolla. That year, Quigg retained his WBA junior-featherweight title against Kiko Martinez, whilst Smith won and defended his WBO junior middleweight title against John Thompson and Jimmy Kelly. And Crolla won the WBA lightweight title.