The realm of boxing is a proving ground for the exceptional, where raw talent meets disciplined training to create champions. Within this storied world, few trainers have made as significant an impact as Shane McGuigan. The son of renowned Northern Irish icon Barry McGuigan, Shane has carved his own legacy, transforming the careers of numerous pugilists. A number of his fighters have already had a blockbuster few months, none more so than heavyweight contender Daniel Dubois.
Dynamite battled it out against unified heavyweight king Oleksandr Usyk last August in Poland, and he could consider himself very unlucky to not walk away as the new champion in the division. The British star dropped the Ukrainian technician with a body shot and his opponent stayed down for far longer than a standard ten count. However, the official in the contest ruled the shot a low blow which clearly disheartened the challenger, who was eventually stopped in the ninth round. Now, Usyk has been made an even-money underdog by boxing betting odds – for an undisputed clash against Tyson Fury, while Dubois has had to go back to the drawing board.
His comeback tour has gotten off to the perfect start, however. He knocked out brash American Jarell Miller on a blockbuster Saudi Arabia show back in December, and he will be aiming to secure victories against more top-ten-ranked opponents to put himself in line for another title shot. However, while Dubois is a top-class boxer, he isn’t one of the best to ever be trained by McGuigan. So with that being said, who are? Let’s take a look.
Carl Frampton
Carl Frampton’s story is one of determination and calculated fury. Also hailing from Northern Ireland, just like Barry, ‘The Jackal’ rose from the grimy boxing gyms of Belfast to the bright lights of international acclaim. His partnership with Shane McGuigan marked a turning point in his storied career.
Frampton, under McGuigan’s guidance, achieved pinnacles that few can boast. Notable among these feats include becoming a two-weight world champion, defeating big names such as Scott Quigg and Leo Santa Cruz, and earning a future spot in the International Boxing Hall of Fame. In fact, at one point, the now-retired star cracked boxing’s coveted pound-for-pound top ten, alongside the likes of Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, Manny Pacquaio and a certain Floyd Mayweather.
After his back-to-back bouts with Santa Cruz, further money-spinning contests were on the horizon. He fought and beat four-weight world champion Nonito Donaire, before losing to Josh Warrington in a highly anticipated clash in Manchester in 2018. He finally retired after one final, unsuccessful tilt at becoming champion again, suffering a TKO loss to Jamel Herring in Dubai in 2021.
George Groves
George Groves’ rise in the boxing world was one of drama and tenacity. His early career blossomed under Adam Booth however, a split before his maiden world title tilt against Carl Froch threw him under the bus somewhat. Back-to-back knockout losses to the Cobra under the stewardship of Paddy Fitzpatrick left the Saint out in the cold, but under McGuigan, he rose to stardom once more.
With his new coach in his corner, Groves was propelled to new heights, becoming a world champion four years after his maiden challenge with a knockout victory against unbeaten Russian Fedor Chudinov at Bramall Lane in Sheffield, home of Premier League side Sheffield United. He picked up an impressive lopsided unanimous decision victory against Chris Eubank Jr. in the World Boxing Super Series semifinals, before losing to Callum Smith via knockout in the final, a defeat that would send him into retirement once and for all.
Josh Taylor
Josh Taylor emerged onto the professional scene with exceptional promise. Under Shane McGuigan’s tutelage, the Tartan Tornado’s potential was harnessed into a force of nature that swept through the ranks of the junior welterweights. He too became one of the top-ranked pound-for-pound fighters on the planet, as well as becoming the undisputed junior welterweight champion thanks to victories against the likes of Regis Prograis and José Ramírez.
The synergy between McGuigan’s coaching and Taylor’s skill set created a tremendous force. This collaboration culminated in Taylor unifying the 140-pound division, however, he has since dropped the straps in shocking fashion, losing to American Teofimo Lopez despite being a heavy favorite heading into the contest. He is booked to settle a bitter rivalry against Jack Catterall on April 27th.
David Haye
David Haye’s story reads like a Hollywood script. A boxer from the streets of London, the ambition of the Haymaker drove him to seek Shane McGuigan’s mentorship, a move that he hoped would catapult him back to the summit of the heavyweight division.
Under Adam Booth’s watch, Haye captured multiple world titles in two weight classes, becoming the undisputed cruiserweight champion before knocking off Russian Giant Nikolai Valuev to become heavyweight king. Unfortunately, he failed in his attempt to dethrone Wladimir Klitschko and by the time he got to working with McGuigan, he was a shadow of his former self. The only two fights under the Northern Irishman’s stewardship were back-to-back knockout losses against Tony Bellew, losses that brought him plenty of cash but also tarnished his legacy.
