Advertisement

Carl Frampton backing 'old foe' in stage four cancer battle

Photo shows Belfast boxing legend Carl Frampton
-Credit:Getty Images


Carl Frampton says he is "right behind" Joe Gallagher's battle against stage four bowel and liver cancer. The English boxing coach revealed his diagnosis earlier this month.

The 56-year-old has trained a number of world champions including Anthony Crolla and Natasha Jonas, and was also in the corner for Scott Quigg when the Bury man fought Frampton back in 2016.

Belfast legend Frampton claimed a split decision win to unify the super-bantamweight titles, adding the WBA belt to the IBF one he already owned.

READ MORE: Luke Littler fumes at Dublin crowd before throwing darts in anger after defeat to Gerwyn Price

READ MORE: Brendan 'Bik' McFarlane described as "lifelong Republican activist" as death announced

There was plenty of animosity in the build-up to their iconic showdown in Manchester, but it's all water under the bridge now.

Frampton says he has nothing but respect for Quigg and Gallagher. And the Jackal says he's 'in Joe's corner' for his cancer battle.

"I’m in old foe Joe Gallagher’s corner in his cancer fight," he said in his Sunday Life column. "Nine years ago, Joe Gallagher and I were rivals as I got ready to face his fighter, Scott Quigg, in a huge unification in Manchester, but now I am firmly in his corner as he battles stage four bowel and liver cancer.

Carl Frampton beat Scott Quigg back in 2016 -Credit:Getty
Carl Frampton beat Scott Quigg back in 2016 -Credit:Getty

"In the build-up to any fight there is a bit of back and forth, as was the case then, but it’s always left behind at the final bell and I never felt any ill will towards Joe.

"In fact, over the years I have been in his company and have found him to be a really good boxing man who would do anything for his fighters, so I was really shocked and saddened when I heard of his prognosis last week.

"I suppose a lot of people on the outside would feel we may have had this long-standing feud because of the fiery build-up to the Quigg fight, but that is certainly not the case.

Photo shows Joe Gallagher
Joe Gallagher -Credit:Getty Images

"Joe has an encyclopedic knowledge of the game and in 2015 won the Ring Magazine Trainer of the Year award, guiding Quigg, the Smith brothers, Anthony Crolla, Scotty Cardle and many more to titles from domestic to world.

"One thing I will say about Joe is that he is a very stubborn man and will do what he has to in order to get what he thinks is right, so if there is anyone who is going to beat this condition, it’s him and I am right behind him in this battle."

Sign up to our free sports newsletter to get the latest headlines to your inbox