Joe Gallagher is hoping to undergo surgery in September after facing another battle with cancer.
The respected British trainer was given the devastating news earlier this year that cancer had returned to his liver, just months after celebrating his recovery from stage-four bowel and liver cancer.
Gallagher had appeared in high spirits at the WBC Convention in Bangkok last December, where he received an award after overcoming the disease. He spent the trip enjoying himself, meeting boxing legend Roberto Duran, joking with Oleksandr Usyk and looking ahead to what his fighters could achieve in the new year.
His stable includes Mikie Tallon, Frazer Clarke, Taz Nadeem, Zelfa Barrett, Jack Massey, Clark Smith, Kieran McDaid, Joe Cooper, Huey Malone, Josh Holmes and Billy Deniz.
Those plans were disrupted when a routine check-up revealed that the cancer had returned.
“The cancer came back at the beginning of the year in my liver,” Gallagher said. “It is in four different areas, and one of them is on a vein that carries blood from my legs towards my head.”
Gallagher initially received difficult news about the possibility of surgery. After seeking a second opinion in April, however, he was told that an operation could become possible if chemotherapy proved successful.
The 57-year-old admitted that he was frustrated to have to begin treatment again after feeling that he had returned to full health.
“I was so angry because I felt back to my best,” he said. “I had just been back in the corner for Frazer after his fight with Huni, and then I had to go through all of this again.”
By the end of July, Gallagher had completed seven cycles of chemotherapy. His treatment included sessions lasting around 90 minutes as well as periods when he had a chemotherapy pump attached for up to 48 hours.
He has also undergone treatment aimed at increasing his white blood cell count, which he admits has left him feeling particularly drained.
Despite the physical demands of treatment, Gallagher has now been told that surgery is a realistic possibility.
“They’ve said it’s now operable and that should happen in early September, so fingers crossed,” he said.
Gallagher recently spoke publicly about his latest cancer battle during an appearance on TalkSPORT. Despite everything he has faced, the veteran trainer has retained his trademark sense of humour.
“As you can see, new season, new hairstyle,” he joked.
His determination has also been boosted by Frazer Clarke’s recent return to winning ways following a difficult period in the heavyweight’s career.
Gallagher is determined to follow that example and return to his work in the boxing corner as soon as possible.
“It was a bit of a kick in the bollocks at the start of the year after everything I went through last year with bowel and liver cancer, and then for it to come back again this year,” he said.
“I haven’t really said much about it. You just have to get on with it.”
Gallagher acknowledged that the latest treatment has been harder on him than his previous experience, with the combination of chemotherapy and medication taking a greater physical toll.
Nevertheless, he has no plans to step away from boxing. His fighters have enjoyed an impressive 2026, with Gallagher’s 11 boxers combining for a 22-2 record.
“There’s no slowing down,” Gallagher said. “Get the surgery out of the way, have a big end to the year, and 2027 is when we’re coming for all the titles.”
