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John Breen confirms that he will keep on training fighters

John Breen is going nowhere.

The veteran trainer had been believed to be on the verge of retirement over the coming weeks, especially after a string of fighters departed his gym, however it now looks as though he’ll remain in the sport a while longer before hanging up his pads.

Speaking after Feargal McCrory’s win in Belfast at the weekend, Breen confirmed that “I’m still edging away, I’m taking things as they come. Feargal said to me he wanted me to stay involved with him.”

That said, the 66 year old is implementing some changes to Breen’s Gym, and plans to begin working in amateur boxing as well. Breen revealed that “I’m not in the gym during the day now. Now I’m just going nights. So I’ll start doing the amateur part during the day and then, after the amateurs, the pros can come in at 7 o’clock.”

While fighters have come and gone, McCrory holds a special place in Breen’s heart, and he admits that “I’d trust Feargal with my life.”

“The kid comes from Coleraine every day to train, after work, that shows dedication. And he sells loads of tickets, I think he was the biggest ticket-seller on the bill. You see, after Feargal’s fight, the hall will be empty. He’s a genuine kid.”

In addition to Fearless Feargal, Breen has two new pros coming through, Sean Higginson and Sean Magee.

“Two good kids,” he described. “we’ll see how they go. I’m taking them under my wing, I’m not going to take them on and then throw them to the side. The two new boys have joined the gym and they all have fights within the next nine weeks.”

Photo Credit: Ricardo Guglielminotti – THe Fightin Irish (@ThefIrish).

Eric Donovan joins Gavan Casey and Joe O’Neill on Episode 2 of the Irish Boxing Show:

Joe O'Neill

Reporting on Irish boxing the past five years. Work has appeared on irish-boxing.com, Boxing News, the42.ie, and local and national media. Provide live ringside updates, occasional interviews, and special features on the future of Irish boxing. email: joneill6@tcd.ie

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