RATHER than lazily call Joe Gallagher the repair man, or suggest he is boxing’s go-to fixer-upper, it might be better comparing him to someone like Quentin Tarantino, whose favourite thing in the nineties was to revamp the careers of actors and actresses deemed to have faded into obscurity. This Tarantino managed to do with not only John Travolta in Pulp Fiction, but also Pam Grier and Robert Forster in Jackie Brown, and Gallagher, in the boxing world, has a habit of doing similar.
In previous years, the Manchester trainer had been instrumental in the remarkable transformations of Matthew Macklin, Paul Smith, and Anthony Crolla. Now, in 2024, Gallagher is once again taking on a new challenge. This time, his focus is on Lawrence Okolie, a former WBO cruiserweight champion who many have dismissed. The objective is straightforward: unleash the potential of this athlete and prove the doubters wrong.
Okolie and Gallagher may seem like an improbable pair in many aspects, but the more one ponders over what Gallagher brings to the table and what Okolie requires, the connection between them becomes clearer. Furthermore, considering the circumstances surrounding their union and Okolie’s present predicament, their partnership becomes even more logical.
“He did some sparring with Joe Parker before Parker fought Deontay Wilder, and I was there in the gym and he asked me to help him in the corner,” Gallagher explained to Boxing News. “I said, ‘Yeah, no problem.’ I did a couple of things in the corner with him, said a few things, and he went out and carried out the instructions.
Earlier this year, he visited Saudi and joined me for some training sessions. We had a great rapport, and I found him to be highly receptive to coaching and feedback. He possesses an impressive ability to grasp new concepts swiftly. Additionally, he exhibits remarkable listening skills and effortlessly adjusts his approach accordingly. Recognizing his potential, I expressed my desire to bring him to Manchester for further training at Champs Camp in Moss Side.
“With Lawrence, our connection has developed naturally. We have a deep understanding of each other and he knows what needs to be done. Initially, I wanted to see if Lawrence was simply going through the motions or if he possessed the determination and passion to make a statement. I challenged him to question his motives. Once we learned about his upcoming fight in Poland against Lukasz Rozanski, we knew it would be a challenging and intense environment. I emphasized to Lawrence the importance of knowing he was pursuing this for the right reasons. He had to be driven to prove a point. So far, I sense that he possesses that drive. He has diligently followed my instructions in training and I truly believe he has that burning desire to succeed.”
Getty Images shows Okolie losing his WBO cruiserweight belt to Chris Billam-Smith.
Thrown into the deep end, Okolie and Gallagher will face their first major challenge on May 24 in an unexpected location – Poland. It is there that Okolie will go head-to-head with Lukasz Rozanski, the current WBC bridgerweight champion and a native of Rzeszow. The outcome of this fight will determine Okolie’s future in the sport. If he wins, with a record of 19-1 (14), Okolie will regain his position in the boxing world, with a belt around his waist and the attention of many fighters across various weight classes. However, if he loses, Okolie, now 31 years old, understands that he will fade into obscurity, easily forgotten by the boxing establishment.
Gallagher compared the current situation to Matthew Macklin’s initial bout with him, highlighting Macklin’s previous victory over Geard Ajetovic. Many doubted Macklin’s abilities at that time. However, his first fight with Gallagher against Wayne Elcock resulted in a resounding triumph, as they seized the title that night. Subsequently, Macklin went on to claim the European title in his next match and even came close to becoming the world champion in a fight against Felix Sturm.
This situation is quite similar for Lawrence as well. Our first fight together is going to be intense right from the start. We are stepping into a challenging environment, considering Lawrence just lost his world title and faced a lot of criticism on social media. He is in a tough spot, both in his career and in this fight. Moreover, he is entering a new weight division and will be facing a formidable opponent. This opponent has showcased their destructive power by defeating Alen Babic in just one round. Despite all the doubts, Lawrence is here as a world champion. The organizers clearly believe that Okolie is the right choice for a successful defense in Poland. Our mission is to enter that ring and prove everyone wrong by going for a knockout. We need to demonstrate that Okolie is far from being finished.
The project is truly thrilling. I enjoy it when people doubt its potential by saying, “He won’t accomplish anything,” only to witness them eventually achieving something remarkable.
On December 3, 2021, James Chance/Getty Images captures Joe Gallagher observing from the corner at York Hall, Bethnal Green.
In order to achieve something extraordinary, Okolie may need to reduce his focus on his own thoughts and the distracting voices in his head. Instead, he should pay closer attention to Gallagher, who has a talent for boosting a fighter’s confidence. By doing so, the Londoner will have the opportunity to fully utilize his exceptional physical abilities and possess the kind of power that other fighters would envy.
Gallagher stated that Lawrence possesses certain abilities that he has demonstrated to me, but there are also areas where he still needs to learn and comprehend. It is crucial for him to grasp the reasons behind the accusations of excessive hugging and to reflect on his actions and motivations.
“We have been actively analyzing and comprehending the situation together. Subsequently, we consistently place him in those specific scenarios to prevent any undesired actions. This process is still ongoing and is ultimately based on achieving favorable outcomes. On May 24th, we will determine if the final outcome aligns with our expectations.”
Despite being an Olympian and former world champion, there are those who believe he is past his prime. However, if we consider the examples of Matthew Macklin, Paul Smith, and Anthony Crolla, they were also once dismissed by critics but managed to defy expectations and prove them wrong. This is yet another story of determination and the opportunity to prove the world wrong.”
Despite being only on chapter one, there are promising indications.
Gallagher disclosed that he has been in Manchester (specifically at Champs Camp) for approximately four weeks. He shared that he is relishing his time in the gym and the company of fellow fighters. Notably, he has engaged in sparring sessions with Callum Johnson and Jack Massey, while also training alongside enthusiastic, young individuals. Gallagher seems to be enjoying the team atmosphere once again, reminiscent of his experience with the GB format where he thrived. It appears that he is not someone who prefers to train alone, but instead thrives in a collaborative environment.
While it may be tempting to mock Okolie and his new trainer, if you inquire about the benefits of working with Joe Gallagher from any fighter he has trained, you will quickly realize that one of the main advantages is never feeling isolated or lacking support.
