Brendan Ingle (19 June 1940 – 25 May 2018) was an Irish boxing trainer, manager, and former professional boxer based in Sheffield, England. He trained five world champions at his Wincobank gym: Johnny Nelson, Naseem Hamed, Junior Witter, Kell Brook, and Kid Galahad.
Early life Ingle was born in the Ringsend area of Dublin in 1940. He was one of 16 children of dock labourer Charlie (‘Hoppy’) Ingle and Sarah Ingle (née Lawless).
Professional career Ingle competed professionally as a middleweight from 1965 to 1973, with a record of 19 wins and 14 losses. He unsuccessfully fought for the BBofC Central Area Middleweight title in October 1973 against Pat Dwyer.
Training career While living in Wincobank, Sheffield, England, Ingle was asked by a local vicar to carry out some community work because youth in the area were "running wild." He knew nothing but boxing, but he organised a weekly dance at St Thomas' church hall and the boxing gym St Thomas' Boys & Girls Club was opened.
Herol "Bomber" Graham, undefeated in ten years is what Ingle would call "the best person to come out of our gym," although perhaps Ingle is best known for being Naseem Hamed's mentor from the age of seven to 25. He has also trained former IBF Light Heavyweight titlist Clinton Woods and was the trainer of former WBC Light Welterweight titlist Junior Witter. He also was trainer of former WBO cruiserweight champion Johnny Nelson. He lived in Wincobank, Sheffield, just across the road from his gym, St Thomas' Boys and Girls Club.
In total he has trained four world champions, six European, 15 British, and six Commonwealth champions. Ingle's fighters relied on footwork and reflexes for defence, leaving the hands free for offensive activity.
Honours Ingle was awarded an MBE in 1998 for his services and contributions to British boxing and his work with young people in the Sheffield area.
He received an honorary doctorate from Sheffield Hallam University.
Personal life Brendan's sons, Dominic and John, both run the Ingle Gym their father established.
Ingle's eldest brother, Jimmy, was a famous Irish champion boxer. His niece is Róisín Ingle, The Irish Times journalist. He was also great-uncle of The Guardian sports journalist Sean Ingle.
In August 2014, Ingle was one of 200 public figures who were signatories to a letter to The Guardian opposing Scottish independence in the run-up to September's referendum on that issue.
Death Ingle died in May 2018 due to a brain hemorrhage at the age of 77. Upon his death, former student Johnny Nelson paid tribute to Ingle as "the best trainer in the world".
Media portrayal Ingle is played by Pierce Brosnan in the 2025 film Giant, about the relationship between him and Naseem Hamed.
Professional boxing record
ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes33Loss19–14Poul KnudsenKO3 (6)1 Nov 197332Loss19–13Pat DwyerPTS1021 Oct 197331Win19–12Joe GregoryKO3 (8)3 Jul 197330Win18–12Dave NelsonPTS614 May 197329Win17–12Mick HusseyPTS830 Apr 197328Win16–12Charlie SmallPTS86 Mar 197327Loss15–12Charlie SmallTKO5 (6)29 Jan 197326Win15–11Billy BrooksPTS615 Jan 197325Win14–11Peter Mullins4 (6)8 Jan 197324Loss13–11Johnny WallPTS624 Apr 197223Loss13–10Fred PowneyTKO2 (8)13 Apr 197022Loss13–9Tom JensenPTS62 Apr 197021Loss13–8Chris FinneganTKO8 (8), 5 Aug 196920Loss13–7Ronnie HoughTKO3 (8)2 Jul 196919Win13–6Dervan AireyPTS819 May 196918Loss12–6Liam DolanDQ3 (8)26 Mar 196917Loss12–5Ronnie HoughTKO2 (8)6 Feb 196916Win12–4Danny AshiePTS42 Jan 196915Win11–4Don ReidPTS625 Nov 196814Win10–4Brian BonsorTKO6 (8)4 Nov 196813Win9–4Maurice ThomasPTS61 Oct 196812Loss8–4Danny AshieTKO6 (8)18 Jul 196811Win8–3Danny AshiePTS622 Apr 196810Loss7–3Mick Cain5 (6)8 Apr 19689Win7–2Peter LanePTS62 Apr 19688Win6–2Chris McAuleyPTS627 Feb 19687Loss5–2Liam DolanPTS611 Dec 19676Win5–1Dave DerbyshirePTS610 Oct 19665Loss4–1Willie TurkingtonTKO1 (6)8 Feb 19664Win4–0Wesley WilliamsTKO4 (6)21 Dec 19653Win3–0Dave DerbyshireTKO4 (6)15 Nov 19652Win2–0Miles Mitton4 (6)1 Nov 19651Win1–0Dick Griffiths64 Oct 1965
References
External links Boxers Ingle is managing
Guardian interview - Ingle gets his gloves on to floor racial divide