It hasn’t been an easy 2017 for trainer Shane McGuigan.
The well-known trainer has parted ways with two high profile fighters in David Haye and Carl Frampton earlier this year. But he isn’t losing sleep over it since he’s now training WBA World super middleweight George Groves as ‘The Saint’ gets ready for his first title defence this Saturday.
“The biggest thing is continuing and having respect for one another; not having a bitter taste in your mouth, and there’s no bitter taste in my mouth,” said McGuigan to Sky Sports.
The focus for McGuigan is the present, not the past.
“Do I feel I need to prove myself again? No, not at all. I led George Groves to a world title, and Josh Taylor dismantled Ohara Davies. I’m there for them, for their safety. I don’t give a c**p about my reputation. If I really cared about it I’d be boxing,” he told.
McGuigan through a bit of bad luck when both Frampton and Haye lost their fights, but he’s now happier that he has more time to work with Groves.
“David snapped his Achilles and was four rounds to one up before he snapped it, and Carl lost a majority decision to an elite fighter, didn’t perform to the best of his ability. It’s great: I’ve [now] got more time in the day and can put a little bit more into George Groves. We’re in a tough fight against Jamie Cox and are going to need all that time to prepare for this. He’s a good fighter,” McGuigan summarised.
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