Sheffield boxing: The legend lives on after Brendan Ingle's death

Former European champion Esham Pickering says he was humbled to pick up a posthumous honour for legendary Sheffield trainer Brandan Ingle.'‹'‹'‹'‹'‹'‹'‹'‹'‹'‹'‹'‹'‹'‹'‹'‹'‹'‹'‹'‹'‹'‹'‹'‹'‹'‹'‹'‹'‹'‹'‹'‹'‹'‹'‹'‹'‹'‹'‹'‹'‹'‹
Esham Pickering in his days at Newman Road GymEsham Pickering in his days at Newman Road Gym
Esham Pickering in his days at Newman Road Gym

The one-time super bantamweight, now aged 42, boxed many of his 45 fights under the Ingle banner.

But he was surprised to be the one to receive the honour at The British Ex Boxers Association Hall of Fame in Cannock, last weekend.

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"I was honoured to pick up a M angers' Award for Brendan, although why nobody was there from the Sheffield gym I don't know" he said.

"The awards ceremony seemed to be winding down and then somebody asked me if I would receive it on his family's behalf.

"Brendan was a legend to me, I was with him eleven and a half years and he was a big part of my life. I was happy to receive it.

"The ex-boxers organisation has been going for four years and it  will go from strength to strength."

In memory of a great Sheffield manIn memory of a great Sheffield man
In memory of a great Sheffield man

Ingle, senior, passed away on May 25 this year.

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He mentored the likes of Junior Witter, Herol Graham, Naseem Hamed, Johnny Nelson, Kid Galahad and Kell Brook, in Wincobank.

*Enzo Calzaghe, who steered son Joe to an unbeaten 46-fight career crowned with world titles at two different weights, has died at the age of 69, his family have announced.

Calzaghe, who had no prior experience in the sport, masterminded his son's rise to the top and also experienced world-title success with Welsh fighters Gavin Rees and Enzo Maccarinelli.

His family said in a statement: "The family are devastated to have to announce the death of our beloved Enzo. Joe and all of the Calzaghe family would like to thank the public for their well wishes and kind thoughts, especially the outpouring of support from within the boxing community.

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"Enzo led an incredible life both inside and outside of the boxing gym and his loss is a devastating one for the entire Calzaghe family.'

'We please ask that people respect our privacy at this difficult time."

Born in Sardinia in 1949, Calzaghe set up a training camp in a shed in Newbridge, south Wales, from which the family's extraordinary boxing odyssey began.

Calzaghe's success was recognised when he won the prestigious 'Ring' Magazine trainer of the year award in 2007, and three years later he received the MBE.

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Calzaghe was in his son's corner throughout his 10-year reign as world middleweight champion, and when he successfully moved up in weight to dethrone light-heavyweight king Bernard Hopkins in Las Vegas in 2008.

Tony Bellew was among the first current champions to pay tribute to Calzaghe, tweeting: "What a man! My thoughts are with @RealJoeCalzaghe and his family right now, Your Dad was a master coach who created a style that you both made unbeatable. Salute the legendary Enzo."

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