Gallagher Proud of Smith, Dedicates Win To Zak Vali

By Terence Dooley

Joe Gallagher has told the Manchester Evening News that he is proud of guiding Liverpool's Liam Smith (21-0-1, 11 KOs) to the IBF light-middleweight world title at the Manchester Arena on Saturday night.  Smith won the vacant title by icing John Thompson in the seventh round, becoming the first of the four Smith brothers to net a world belt.

It capped off a good fortnight for Gallagher, who won the British trainer of the year award the previous week.  He coaches all four Smith brothers yet is especially proud of Liam, who has developed well under his trainer’s watchful eye.

Gallagher revealed that he had looked in envy when Steven Maylett secured the WBO lightweight belt for Terry Flanagan earlier this year, but he can now strike winning a world title in his hometown off his to-do list.

“I came to the Manchester Arena to see the likes of Ricky Hatton fight for world titles here, so it was an honour to be there with Liam Smith when he won one,” stated Gallagher.

“I was envious of Terry Flanagan's trainer Steve Maylett for winning a world title in Manchester first, but I'm proud that I've now done it too.  I'm really pleased for Liam, he didn't have the amateur accolades as the other Smith brothers had when he turned professional but he's the first to win a world title.

“I want to dedicate the win to [consultation and events manager and member of Team Fury] Asif Vali's son Zak who sadly passed away recently, so that win is for him.”

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