Irish boxing trainer Brendan Ingle has passed away at the age of 77.
The World Champion trainer coached several British fighters to global success, including Johnny Nelson and Naseem Hamed. He died peacefully at 7.40am at the Royal Hallamshire hospital.
Born in Dublin, Ingle trained fighters at his gym in Sheffield, now run by his sons Dominic and John. He was one of the sport's greatest innovators and was awarded an MBE in 1988 for his services to boxing and the youth of Sheffield.
The Great Whispering Guru is gone. Brendan Ingle changed the shape and face of British boxing. The boxing man is dead. Everybody else in the business was in a line behind him / the place will not be the same.
— Steve Bunce (@bigdaddybunce) May 25, 2018
Just heard about the passing of Brendan Ingle. A sad day for boxing, he did so much for the sport and the community. Our thoughts with Dom, John and all the family. Rest in Peace 🙏🏼
— Eddie Hearn (@EddieHearn) May 25, 2018
RIP Brendan Ingle. I learned so much about boxing from you. And even more about life.
— Sean Ingle (@seaningle) May 25, 2018
Brendan Ingle . R.I.P. #Respect.
— Paul McGrath (@Paulmcgrath5) May 25, 2018
Just seen the sad news about Brendan Ingle. What he created at the Wincobank gym with his sons and others is a very special piece in British Boxing history. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends #rip
— anthony crolla (@ant_crolla) May 25, 2018
All at Sheffield United are saddened to hear of the passing of Brendan Ingle this morning. His work created some of the biggest names in boxing and firmly put the Steel City on the map. RIP 🥊⚔️ pic.twitter.com/bizcCdcQSv
— Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) May 25, 2018
Hearing the news about Brendan Ingle and Dean Francis is truly heartbreaking.. My thoughts are with all family and friends of both men at these difficult times.. Brendan Ingle has left a legacy that very few can ever compare to.. so sad 😔
— Tony Bellew (@TonyBellew) May 25, 2018
RIP Brendan Ingle.
The man that started me off on the road to where I am.
Changed so many lives that we’re going nowhere & did so much for the sport of boxing in the UK.
Thoughts with his family, friends & all the fighters he worked with. #boxing #legend— Dave Coldwell (@davidcoldwell) May 25, 2018
One of Ingle's most successful fighters was former World Champion Johnny Nelson, who outlined his feelings on the man just last year.
God forbid say Brendan was dead and I had to tell you about this guy called Brendan Ingle. Now, to me, he was my light at the end of the tunnel. When nobody else understood me, he was the one I could relate to. He was the one that could relate to me. He was the one that gave me hope, he was the one who that made me feel as though, 'well Johnny things bad don't just happen to you.' It's everybody. It's not about how you fall down it's about how you stand up.