Barry McGuigan reveals what makes son Shane such a successful trainer

Barry McGuigan proudly praises son Shane

Barry McGuigan spoke to Spinbit all about his pride at seeing the success of his son Shane McGuigan as a trainer and revealed the reason behind why he has become one of the best coaches in world boxing.

"Shane, Jake and Blane are encyclopaedias of boxing. I never wanted them to get into boxing but when we sit in the house, we talk about every detail and, unfortunately, they have grown up as an encyclopaedia of the sport, so it seems to be the family business whether I like it or not."

36-year-old Shane grew up in Whitstable in Kent and attended a boxing gym in Faversham as a youngster.

He trained alongside a future world champion, Northern Ireland's Carl Frampton, and won three national titles, but opted not to follow in his father's footsteps as a professional boxer. Instead, at 21, he found his calling as a cornerman, stating that holding pads for 'The Jackal' just felt more natural for him.

"He’s [Shane] a remarkable coach and could’ve been a really good pro boxer himself, but he decided that he either stays as an amateur or bow out and do something else.

Barry continued, "Shane did physiology and understands strength and conditioning very comprehensively, so he understands physicality and the psychological end of things. I asked him to hold the pads one day and he started working with one of my fighters early on and then he came through.

"He is a fabulous coach and one of the best around. He has the ability to get the best out of fighters, he teaches them to hit hard. At the end of the day, the one thing you need in boxing is to hit hard. 

"He teaches them correctly and Shane knows nearly all the aspects of professional boxing. He works his a*** off and is in the gym all morning and he works through to the afternoon and does it every day.

"Shane gets his results because he grafts his a*** off and Jake works with him and the television company while Blane in the background looks at the opponents and runs it past me, so we’re a good team.

"Shane is an amazing coach and has had nine world champions and is 36-years-old. I’m very proud of what he has achieved and what he is going to achieve."

Shane McGuigan boxers

Chantelle Cameron (2017–2019)
Luke Campbell (2018–2021)
Conrad Cummings (2014–2017)
Daniel Dubois (2021–2023)
Anthony Fowler (2020–2022)
Carl Frampton (2013–2017)
George Groves (2015–2018)
David Haye (2016–2017)
Lee McGregor (2017–2018)
Lawrence Okolie (2019–2023)
Chris Billam-Smith (2017–Present)
Josh Taylor (2015–2020)