Shane McGuigan on boxing: 'It brings me so much happiness'

Speaking to The Independant, McGuigan stated the sport which has dominated his whole life brings him nothing but happiness. 

“Most people focus on the money, but that’s not why I got into boxing. It’s about what it brings you and, right now, it brings me so much happiness.”

Shane is the son of boxing legend and former world featherweight champion Barry McGuigan, but instead of jumping on the back of his father's legacy, one of the sport's most exciting young trainers is looking to forge an identity of his own.

Shane's father however didn't want to see his son lace up the gloves and follow a similar career path despite boxing being a vital part of the McGuigan family DNA. 

"Dad never wanted me to box. He wanted me to play football or golf," Shane revealed.

"I was at a boarding school but I used to sneak out at night time and take the bus to the amateur club and use a different name. My dad caught wind of it after about six months and said: ‘If you’re going to do this, you’re going to do it properly.’" Shane said. 

"I used to get up and run before school and then go to the gym afterwards for two or three hours and I’d starve myself basically all day because he had no idea about nutrition. It was horrific but it instils that grit and determination."

Following a successful amateur career, Shane started coaching by chance and now has an impressive resume as a trainer. 

The 33-year-old has been the main man in the corner for former two-weight world champion Carl Frampton and super lightweight king Josh Taylor to name a few. He has also experienced recent success with former Olympic heavyweight Lawrence Okolie who became McGuigan's fourth world champion.

For now though, he will be hoping to help Anthony Fowler produce a memorable performance against Merseyside rival Liam Smith and secure the Liverpool bragging rights when the pair meet at the M&S Bank Arena on Saturday night. 

Watch the full weigh-in for Smith vs. Fowler below.