BoxRec

Jim McDonnell did not have a good night Saturday night....... on the British scene how good is he compared to others ??

I would say that Jim McDonnell is one of the better trainers in Britain but personally i have to say Billy Graham is the best by a small margin. Brian Hughes is also a good trainer but of course it depends what an individual Boxer prefers so a trainer could work for someone but not do well with someone else, it's all about characters as well.

somerstown wrote:Jim McDonnell did not have a good night Saturday night....... on the British scene how good is he compared to others ??

Jimmy Mac is a brilliant conditioner, but he's flogging a dead horse with Danny in truth. I would like to see Jim train a smaller, fitter guy.
It's an interesting point you raise, because we're not massively endowed with truly great trainers at the moment (that applies the world over). In this country, Billy Graham would be my main man for his work with Michael Gomez and Ricky Hatton last year. He got the tactics spot on for Gomez's fight with Arthur (a great result in Edinburgh) and for Hatton-Tackie.
Chris Aston has also done great things at his Northern Fitness gym in Linthwaite. Johnny Eames is equally proven (Lear, Earl, Kevin Mitchell, etc).
Johnny Blooomfield deserves utmost praise for turning the career around of Michael Sprott.
Howard Rainey produced Colin McMillan, which speaks for itself (and you can procure training tips from Howard on the saddoboxing.com forum).
Brian Hughes is another unsung trainer.
John Breen and Chris Sanigar are cut from the same cloth: both hard trainers, who have honed a string of solid competitors.
The Ingles, the Shinfields, Michael Marsden and James Cook will never disappoint.
A potentially rising trainer is Oliver Harrison. He's currently training Jamie Moore, Steve Foster and Farnell.

Peter Harrison deserves some credit for the job he has done for scottish boxing over the years, with Stevie Boyle, Paul Weir & of course more recently Scott Harrison & Alex Arthur

Willie Limond, who recently joined up with Peter, is starting to look a better fighter for it

Peter also trains hot prospect Gary Young

Don't really see how Billy Graham can be regarded as a better trainer than say, Brian Hughes. Graham 'struck gold' (and for many got) lucky with Hatton, who lets face it would still be achieveing if he trained in old Alan Bosworth's shed because of his talent. Graham whipped Gomez into fabulous shape in Edinburgh, but the bottom line was it was the Mancunian's last chance and he was always going to come in shape and start throwing that left hook. The tactics weren't rocket science). What about Graham's other charges? Matthew Hatton, Steve Foster (who left), Farnell (also did one).
One fella nobody has mentioned is Hartlepool trainer Neil Fannan. Performing miracles in the North-East given the drinking culture that exists up there. Has Mick Hunter (unbeaten in 18, relinquished WBF champ), Kev Bennett (Commonwealth champ), and some good kids coming through. Also had a real talent in Ian Cooper who looked destined for the top before the drink and finally the Law (currently doing 4 years) got hold of him.

That's a bit of a disservice to Graham, to suggest that Hatton would be just as good without him is ridiculous. Do you think Thomas Hearns would have been the same fighter without Manny?

Brendan Ingle must be right up there.

Worldwide, Freddie Roach has an excellent calm attitude, and ozzes success at the moment. I think Steward is very over-rated.

Jim McDonnell : Good Conditioner and maybe a good trainer, I dont think he has proved himself.

The best British trainer in the last 30 years has to be George Francis RIP.

Jim Evans is underrated. I think he could teach these young guys a thing or two.

I think Jim would be very good with David Haye.

I dont rate Adam Booth at all.

It's amazing how little praise Ingle gets, Johnny Nelson, Hamed, James Hare (until fairly recently), Jr Witter (he's still very good on domestic terms) and Herol Graham....not a bad haul is it?

Jimmy Tibbs deserves a mentioned, I thought Chris Ashton is probably the trainer on the biggest roll (despite the Hare loss).

Ingle is the man - and his sons are moving up as Brendan eases down.
The line continues, and there are some good kids coming through.
Watch for Kel Brook. I think he's a star in the making.
Slightly biased I know I am - but what a record the gym has.
I do like Billy Graham, but I think he inherited a strong situation rather than created it.
If I'm honest, they all deserve praise.
Not everyone can produce the best, but boxing needs losers as well as winners or there would be no sport.
For that reason, give a bit up to the likes of Nobby Nobbs.

Kelly Brook is a trainer! Where's the gym! I'm bloody joining that one.

I would go with Ingle as the best in the business over here. So wise, consistently produces outstanding talents, and how many of his fighters end up in real problems once they finish with the game? Also good shout re Jimmy Tibbs, who I also rate.
Worldwide is continue to be impressed by Freddie Roach, who seems to know his onions.

stujones wrote:Kelly Brook is a trainer! Where's the gym! I'm bloody joining that one.

Yeah, she's a good trainer.

Ive sparred with her a couple of times but she said I clinch more than Akinwande did against Lewis!

Loftgroov wrote:Brendan Ingle must be right up there.

Worldwide, Freddie Roach has an excellent calm attitude, and ozzes success at the moment. I think Steward is very over-rated.

I disagree, I think Steward as a tactician is second to none. At the end of the day every trainer is only as good as his charges, a lot depends on the right kid walking into the gym at the right time

Hmmm...you're right, he is "very good", but just a bit over-rated perhaps. The way Lennox has been with him hasn't always been great (though admittedly this is somewhat down to Lennox himself). Tommy Hearns seemed to get into more trouble than he should on occasion too.

Also the way he seemed to try to orthadox Naz....

Think of the Naz under Brendan Ingle vs the Naz under Steward...? I know who wins that one.

Loftgroov wrote:Hmmm...you're right, he is "very good", but just a bit over-rated perhaps. The way Lennox has been with him hasn't always been great (though admittedly this is somewhat down to Lennox himself). Tommy Hearns seemed to get into more trouble than he should on occasion too.

Also the way he seemed to try to orthadox Naz....

Think of the Naz under Brendan Ingle vs the Naz under Steward...? I know who wins that one.

Steward is very overrated.

With Hearns skills he should NEVER have been beaten.

Hearns lost TWICE to Iran Barkley.

Steward is a yes man, as far as I am concerned.

There are plenty better than him, past and present.

That's true but no'one trains fighters like Ingle does, all he could do is show Naz what he knew or say "umm, do what you normally do". It'd be like school on a day when a supply teacher came

mrbassie wrote:That's true but no'one trains fighters like Ingle does, all he could do is show Naz what he knew or say "umm, do what you normally do". It'd be like school on a day when a supply teacher came

Good thread. Brendan Ingle is the only trainer in the country, in my opinion, who can take a kid from nothing and develop him into something. Too many trainers are just hired mercenaries nowadays.
Frank Black, trainer of Bruce Scott, is a real dark horse.
A good trainer from across the channel is Germany's Michael Timm.

I believe Brian Hughes can do that too, bennie.

bennie wrote:

mrbassie wrote:That's true but no'one trains fighters like Ingle does, all he could do is show Naz what he knew or say "umm, do what you normally do". It'd be like school on a day when a supply teacher came

Good thread. Brendan Ingle is the only trainer in the country, in my opinion, who can take a kid from nothing and develop him into something. Too many trainers are just hired mercenaries nowadays.
Frank Black, trainer of Bruce Scott, is a real dark horse.
A good trainer from across the channel is Germany's Michael Timm.

There are so many good trainers who, whether due to age, or whatever just seem to have packed up over the last six or seven years.

James Toney's old trainer Bill Miller was a great trainer as was Jimmy Williams.

Anyone remember Jimmy Williams?

knockout artist wrote:

bennie wrote:

mrbassie wrote:That's true but no'one trains fighters like Ingle does, all he could do is show Naz what he knew or say "umm, do what you normally do". It'd be like school on a day when a supply teacher came

Good thread. Brendan Ingle is the only trainer in the country, in my opinion, who can take a kid from nothing and develop him into something. Too many trainers are just hired mercenaries nowadays.
Frank Black, trainer of Bruce Scott, is a real dark horse.
A good trainer from across the channel is Germany's Michael Timm.

There are so many good trainers who, whether due to age, or whatever just seem to have packed up over the last six or seven years.

James Toney's old trainer Bill Miller was a great trainer as was Jimmy Williams.

Anyone remember Jimmy Williams?

Did Jimmy Williams train Meldrick Taylor?

Keiron,

I don't know your involvement with the ingle camp (if any). Just would like to know what was Brendan's thought when Ojay Abrahams tried to kick him during his fight with Ryan RHodes.

It was during that Carl Thompson vs Johnny Nelson thing, where I thought Ingle was a bit out of order with some of his goading. I admit I did find that quite funny.

Not that I'm anti Ingle, he's a damn fine coach and of course I think he's been the best coach over a long period of time - the reason why I didn't mention him is because compared to the mid 90's, his success rate has dropped - perhaps he should hand the reigns to his sons.

He's been a great servant to the sport, some of his "antics" have annoyed me and thats why I laughed when Ojay tried his luck, I was feeling around that time "well someone needs to shut him up".

Well I'm a big fan of some of these "father" trainers. Some of them seem to do ok eh! Must be doing something right to get their boys where they are!

....Jack Mosley...Roger Mayweather....Evangelista Cotto.....

....Darkie Smith (er..ok..maybe not!)

Loftgroov wrote:Well I'm a big fan of some of these "father" trainers. Some of them seem to do ok eh! Must be doing something right to get their boys where they are!

....Jack Mosley...Roger Mayweather....Evangelista Cotto.....

....Darkie Smith (er..ok..maybe not!)

Enzo works well with Joe. But, yes, by and large it really doesn't work.