Former Star Amateur Coach Edwards Now Based At Rooney’s Gym In London

© Gianluca (Rio) Di Caro

Irish boxing coach and manager John Rooney Jnr. has recruited Terry Edwards MBE, as Director of Coaching and Boxing Development, for his new London based boxing and fitness facility – Rooney’s Boxing Gym – close to the famous landmarks Tower Bridge and HMS Belfast.

Edwards, who has insisted that he will still undertake full time coaching duties, will head up a first class team that includes John Rooney Jnr., former Gleason’s Gym New York and Supreme Team coach Barry Robinson, who is best known as the star of the Million Boxing Style video series, Ben Day, Karol (Carl) Ozimkowski and Darren Hamilton.

In addition to coaching, Edwards will also be developing world class training programmes for amateur and professional boxers as well as specific courses for white collar boxers and those just wishing to use the pugilistic arts as a way of getting healthier and fitter.

On the announcement of his new position, Edwards said, “After a period of time to reflect on my future having received numerous offers from different organisations and countries, I have decided to take up the offer of John Rooney as the Director of Coaching and Boxing Development at the London based Rooney’s Boxing Gym.

“I look forward with excitement and optimism to the new challenges the position will provide in the future. With the combined expertise of John, a well respected and knowledgeable professional trainer and my expertise in the amateur field, I am sure we will forge an excellent partnership going forward.

Rooney’s Gym provides excellent facilities and welcomes all in the boxing fraternity with a friendly atmosphere. It can be counted as the premier boxing gym not only in London but also in the world.”

Terry Edwards is without doubt British amateur boxing’s greatest and most successful coach of all time. Starting his stellar England and Team GB career in 1986 as London region coach, he was promoted to Senior National coach in 2001, Performance Director in 2005 and in 2007, became Great Britain Head Coach.

Over the years, Edwards has guided the cream of British professional boxing, such household names as current Super Middleweight World Champion Carl ‘The Cobra’ Froch, undisputed Cruiserweight World Champion David ‘Hayemaker’ Haye and Lightweight World Champion Amir Khan, through their amateur careers.

During his reign as England and Great Britain coach Terry has taken his illustrious charges to three Olympic games, five World Championships, five European Championships and three Commonwealth Games.

His first class coaching and leadership skills netted five Olympic medals, Gold for Audley Harrison (Sydney 2000) and James DeGale (Beijing 2008), Silver for Amir Khan (Athens 2004) and Bronze for David Price and Tony Jeffries (Beijing 2008) as well as a World Title for Frankie Gavin.

Edwards also guided bantamweight Luke Campbell to becoming Great Britain’s first European Champion last year.

In 2004, Edwards was voted UK’s sports coach of the year and four years later, after masterminding Great Britain’s most successful Olympic Games campaign since 1956, was deservedly awarded the MBE in the New Years Honours list 2008 for his services to sport. He also received a special award from the boxing sports writers in 2008.

John Rooney Jnr., who also manages British Featherweight Champion Martin Lindsay, spoke briefly of Edwards and the new gym before flying to Bulgaria where he plans to create a state of art boxing camp for professional, amateur and white collar boxers. “The plan basically is for the gym to be the main boxing gym in London, if not the UK.

“We’re really proud that Terry Edwards’ is coming on board as he brings a wealth of world class coaching experience. He coached the British team for the last three Olympics and during that time established himself as the most successful British coach ever. Terry is the best coach around and Rooney’s will be the best boxing gym because of it.

“There’s a real buzz around the gym, everyone seems to like it. It’s not just the members or staff, Frank Maloney came over to have a look around, he liked the place and wants to use it, We’ll be doing a lot of work with Frank.”