When it comes to elite-level boxing coaches, Brian ‘BoMac” McIntyre has been the talk of the sport in 2023.
Before we were even through the full month of July, the American was already viewed as a lock for Trainer of the Year thanks to an incredible run of success at the world level.
Then things took a turn for the worse.
On Sunday September 2, McIntrye was arrested after security officials at Manchester Airport located a gun and ammunition in his suitcase. The 53-year-old was located at the departure lounge of Terminal 2 and taken into custody by armed police.
Just hours earlier, McIntyre had served as chief second for Chris Eubank Jr. in his impressive 10th-round stoppage of Liam Smith at the AO Arena in Manchester. This was the first time McIntyre had worked with Eubank and he drew rave reviews post-fight.
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The incident threatened to have huge ramifications for McIntyre’s life and career. There are strict gun laws in the UK and a mandatory prison sentence of five years is attached to "possession of a firearm" in the absence of exceptional circumstances.
But at a sentencing hearing on October 9, McIntyre was handed a 20-month sentence suspended for two years. This means he has avoided jail time and is free to go home to the United States.
As reported by journalist Ollie McManus at Manchester Crown Court. The judge waived the statutory five-year prison sentence due to mitigating circumstances and following testimony from character witnesses. McIntryre's star pupil and undisputed welterweight world champion Terence Crawford was among those to give in-person evidence in court.
Who is Brian 'BoMac' McIntyre?
McIntyre was a journeyman heavyweight who competed between 1994 and 2007. The native of Omaha, Nebraska, compiled a modest record of 7-14 (2 KOs) and his biggest claim to fame was lasting the full-four round distance against Butterbean, who outpointed him in November 2004.
Following five consecutive defeats, McIntyre retired from the sport and eventually found his calling as a coach. While in training for the Butterbean bout, 'BoMac' had sparred with a thin teenager who lived on the same street in Omaha.
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That teenager was Terence Crawford.
Turning professional in 2008, Crawford has gone from strength to strength, securing world titles at lightweight, super lightweight, and welterweight. 'BoMac' has been there for the entire journey and helped mould 'Bud' into one of the most complete fighters in the world today.
On July 29, Crawford, already a former undisputed champion at 140 pounds, became the first male fighter to win double undisputed when he stopped Errol Spence Jr. for all the belts at welterweight. He is also unanimously lauded as the finest pound-for-pound fighter in the world today.
Outside of Crawford and Eubank Jr. McIntyre has worked with former world champions Amir Khan, Jamel Herring and Maurice Hooker. He is also the current trainer for red-hot lightweight prospect Keshawn Davis, who is tipped for superstardom.