Joe Gallagher Article

Scott Quigg joins my list of stars

Joe Gallagher
October 25, 2011

I’m going to need to add another star to our new gym T-shirts after Scott Quigg became my sixth British champion on Saturday night.

I’ve only just had them made and already they are out of date! Not that I’m complaining.

The sensational win over Jason Booth was one of the most satisfying in my coaching career. It couldn’t have gone any smoother.

Back in the dressing room Scott told me he could see everything two steps before it happened. He followed our game plan to perfection and that’s why he didn’t even have to step out of second gear.

He was even a little bit disappointed that he didn’t manage to show his full repertoire of explosive skills. He didn’t need to and that is no disrespect to Booth.

He is a world-class fighter - but when you prepare as well as Scott did, when you follow your instructions the way he did, it can look as easy as that.

Make no mistake, he took apart an experienced and accomplished opponent in Booth. A worthy British super-bantamweight champion, who just last year was fighting for a world title.

This was the equivalent of Matthew Macklin or Darren Barker suddenly stepping back down to fight for domestic honours.

But Scott’s performance will have left people wondering just how far he can go.

His promoter, Ricky Hatton, was rightly glowing with his praise after the fight and with his backing I am sure we can one day go on to the world success we all believe Scott can achieve.

That’s the second British champion I’ve delivered for Ricky this year after Anthony Crolla’s lightweight triumph over John Watson.

Before that was the European middleweight title with Macklin and this year has also brought intercontinental success with Joe Murray.

You might say it’s turning into something of a dream team - and that can only be good for Manchester boxing.

So it’s back to the printers to get that sixth star – but I hope I will need another amendment next month.

I go in search of my seventh British title with Paul Smith when he steps into the ring with George Groves.

Paul has been a dream to work with since joining the gym and I know how hungry he is to take that title back after his defeat to James DeGale.

He may be the underdog in many people’s eyes, but I think we’ve got a real chance of causing an upset.

Let’s just say I won’t be getting too many shirts with six stars printed on them!