Brendan Ingle death: Respected boxing trainer dies aged 77

Highly respected trainer Brendan Ingle has died at the age of 77, the British Boxing Board of Control has confirmed.

The Irishman became one of the domestic fight scene's most influential figures during a decorated career in which he trained four world champions, including Naseem Hamed and Johnny Nelson.

His gym in Wincobank, Sheffield continued to thrive when his sons Dominic and John assumed control, but it is Brendan Ingle who is still credited with inspiring its success.

Ingle initially established the Ingle Gym to provide a place for young people to train, and was made an MBE in 1998 for his services and contributions to British boxing and for his work with young people in Sheffield.

Ingle's success and that of his fighters owed much to his unique methods. If not the highest profile, Nelson perhaps represents Ingle's biggest success in the way he was transformed into a world champion having lost his first three fights.

Nelson was among those to pay tribute to Dublin-born Ingle.

"A good, good man has left this earth today," Nelson said on social media. "A good friend. A good father figure. And the best trainer in the world."