Boxing coach Joe Gallagher opened up about his ongoing battle with cancer during his recent appearance on Sky Sports' Toe2Toe podcast. He disclosed that the disease, which first struck him in early 2025, resurfaced in January of this year, but after a rigorous course of chemotherapy he is now slated for a potentially curative operation in September. Gallagher, a highly respected trainer based in Manchester, was originally diagnosed with stage‑four bowel and liver cancer. He underwent an intensive chemotherapy regimen followed by a major surgical procedure that, at the time, appeared to have removed the tumours.
After receiving the all‑clear in September 2025, he felt well enough to travel to Las Vegas with his fighter Mikie Tallon to support a mid‑week bout that preceded the high‑profile Canelo Álvarez versus Terence Crawford showdown. However, routine scans conducted in January 2026 revealed that the cancer had returned, this time manifesting again in his liver.
"2026 has been a bumpy road. It felt like a right kick in the nuts at the start of the year," Gallagher told the host. He recounted that while he was on the plane to Vegas he received the good news that his disease was in remission, only to be called back for further investigations a few months later.
"I went in for some heart‑related scans – yes, I actually have a heart – and the doctors told me the cancer had come back to my liver," he said with his characteristic dry humour. Initially, the medical team believed the tumour was inoperable.
After a second opinion, they suggested that surgery might be possible if the growth could be reduced in size. This led to a second round of chemotherapy, this time more aggressive than the first.
Gallagher endured seven cycles, noting the physical toll it took: "The chemo cocktail was huge. You could see me losing my hair and everything else. It was a brutal experience, but I kept pushing through." The treatment succeeded in shrinking the tumour enough to make surgery feasible. Gallagher explained the surgical plan in detail.
The cancer had spread across four sections of his liver. Three of those sections could be removed surgically, while the fourth was situated near a major artery that transports blood from the lower limbs to the heart. That particular area could not be excised outright; instead, doctors would have to ablate it, essentially burning the tissue away.
"That one needed to shrink a little bit, which it has," he reported, indicating that the chemotherapy achieved the necessary reduction. The consultant overseeing his case was described as "very matter‑of‑fact," a demeanor Gallagher said was appropriate given the seriousness of the situation. The doctor advised him to rest, but Gallagher admitted he found it difficult to stay still. "I was annoyed because I thought, '2026, here we go, I've got a great team of talent coming through,' and then I thought, 'Oh my God.'" Despite the advice to take it easy, Gallagher continued to train, even stepping into the gym the day before the interview.
He reassured fans that he would not be available for any commitments in September, but he is optimistic about returning to work in early October. Mikie Tallon, one of Gallagher's protégés, also weighed in on the podcast. Tallon expressed his excitement about the upcoming mega‑fight between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, saying, "It'll be great. Joshua vs Fury.
A mega fight. So I'll keep my fingers crossed. If I could get on the card, I would. Definitely." He also reminisced about a past bout where he achieved a first‑round stoppage against Argentinian Olympian Leandro José Blanc, noting that Gallagher had been creating montage videos of fighters' knockout highlights for years.
"Like Callum Smith, Beefy Smith, Scott Quigg, Anthony Crolla, Paul Butler, Marcus Morrison – all of them stopping people with body shots. I said to myself, the next time he's going to put me in one of those videos. After we got that stoppage win, I was like, 'You can add me to one of those videos now, Joe!' Throughout the conversation, Gallagher emphasized the importance of perseverance, both in the ring and in life. He highlighted the support he receives from his family, his medical team, and the boxing community, all of which have helped him maintain a positive outlook despite the setbacks.
"I've been doing that, coming through it all, so now I'm going to have an operation in September to get rid of this," he concluded, expressing confidence that the surgery will finally put an end to his battle with cancer. The podcast also promoted upcoming boxing events and streaming options, encouraging listeners to follow the sport through various platforms. Gallagher's candid discussion serves as a reminder that even those who appear strong and invincible in the public eye can face serious health challenges, and that resilience, humor, and a solid support network are vital tools in confronting such adversity.