Dennis Hobson column: Brendan Ingle up there with the best ever trainers

Ryan Rhodes proudly believes he is the best trainer in South Yorkshire - do you agree? Who is the best trainer you've worked with?
Ryan Rhodes, a bold claimRyan Rhodes, a bold claim
Ryan Rhodes, a bold claim

I think it’s a bold statement at this stage. Ryan is capable of being a top trainer, he has all the attributes and experience, and he has a great manner with fighters. It’s early days but he does have the potential to be one of the top trainers in the country.

Someone who people may not know, because he’s passed away, was Neil Port who started training Clinton Woods with me. Neil was a very underrated trainer and he helped shape Clinton with me early on. Also, what Brendan Ingle has achieved is phenomenal and he’s put Sheffield on the map as a trainer with Herol Graham, Naseem Hamed and he shaped Kell Brook in the early days. So, I think Brendan is right up there.

Brendan Ingle and one of his proteges, Barry AwadBrendan Ingle and one of his proteges, Barry Awad
Brendan Ingle and one of his proteges, Barry Awad
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How many UK fighters actually merit being on PPV, in your opinion? Is Sky TV coverage still the market-leader in British telly?

Froch did, and Tyson Fury does as he’s the heavyweight champions of the world. I think Kell Brook if he fights Amir Khan, or a big-name fighter like Timothy Bradley. Other than that though, who else is PPV? Anthony Joshua got found out a bit against Dillian Whyte, he’s not there yet despite the hype, but he will be PPV if he keeps developing. It’s all hype with Joshua at the moment, he has tremendous potential but how can a British title fight be on PPV?

Is Sky TV coverage still the market-leader? Absolutely – the production is great. They are such a big machine. They’re advertising the fights on Sky News all around the world; it’s a great model and great marketing. There’s no love lost between me and Eddie Hearn but he has a golden goose there, and Stevie Wonder could do the job he’s doing because of the Sky machine he has behind him. All we can do is keep batting away – there’s a big market out there, and some big players looking to compete with Sky. Boxing goes in cycles - it will change. In the next few years, there’ll be someone else challenging Sky’s status, and hopefully it’s us.

Any news on Waleed Din’s next opponent?

Brendan Ingle and one of his proteges, Barry AwadBrendan Ingle and one of his proteges, Barry Awad
Brendan Ingle and one of his proteges, Barry Awad

He is appearing on our show at The Magna on February 6; no news on an opponent yet. Waleed’s Dad has now thankfully coming through a serious illness. Waleed has had to cope with that, but he’s a strong willed character. We’re looking to get him on the international scene at light-flyweight or straw-weight, but until then we’ll look to get him a learning fight and back to winning ways on the next show.

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