Trainer Joe Gallagher and world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury were named Trainer and Fighter of the Year respectively by respected US magazine, The Ring after enjoying spectacular runs in the last twelve months.
For Gallagher, who becomes the first ever British coach to pick up the accolade, the Bolton-based trainer took Liam Smith and Anthony Crolla to world titles, whilst pushing Scott Quigg to a career-defining clash with Carl Frampton in February.
Smith defeated John Thompson to claim the WBO super welterweight belt, whilst Crolla defeated Darleys Perez to cap an amazing comeback from a serious head injury and was also voted Most Inspirational of 2015 by the magazine, for his part.
Whilst Gallagher pipped UK rival Peter Fury to the post for the gong, Peter’s nephew Tyson celebrated being named only the second ever fighter to win The Ring’s Fighter of the Year.
Fury, 27, follows in the footsteps of Ricky Hatton, the award winner in 2005, and couldn’t suppress his excitement at the honour bestowed on him by ‘The Bible of Boxing’ on Monday afternoon.
“I can’t believe I’ve just won Ring Magazine Fighter of the Year,” said Fury. “I’m so flattered and proud. I beat the best in the world to take this crown.”
It wasn’t the only award Fury won as his victory over Wladimir Klitschko was tagged as the Upset of 2015 as the ‘Gypsy King’ heads into a rematch with the Ukrainian in the coming months.
The UK currently boasts an all-time high of twelve world champions including James DeGale, Carl Frampton and Kell Brook.
