The family of legendary boxing trainer Brendan Ingle have spoken of their pride and emotion as his life and legacy are brought to the big screen in the new boxing drama Giant. The film explores Ingle’s complex relationship with former world champion Prince Naseem Hamed and charts the boxer’s rise to global fame during the 1990s.
A Hollywood Portrayal of a Sheffield Icon
In Giant, Ingle is portrayed by James Bond star Pierce Brosnan, a casting choice that has deeply moved the trainer’s family. Brendan Ingle, who died in 2018 aged 77, was born in Dublin but became a defining figure in Sheffield boxing, where he coached generations of fighters. His daughter, Tara Ingle, said her father would have been “amazed” to know his story was being told on screen by such a high-profile actor. She described becoming emotional after seeing a poster for the film on a bus in Sheffield, calling it a surreal moment for the family.
The Story Behind ‘Giant’
The film centres on Hamed’s journey from a working-class childhood in Sheffield to becoming one of boxing’s most flamboyant and recognisable champions. Introduced to boxing by his father at the age of seven, Hamed turned professional at 18, won a European title at 20 and captured world honours soon after. At the heart of that rise was Ingle, whose unorthodox methods and intense bond with Hamed shaped both the boxer’s success and the tensions that followed. The film presents that turbulent relationship while also highlighting Ingle’s wider influence on British boxing.
A Trainer Who Built Champions
Beyond Hamed, Ingle guided several fighters to world titles, including Johnny Nelson, Junior Witter and Kell Brook. His gym, based in a former church hall in Wincobank, became a cornerstone of Sheffield’s sporting identity. After Ingle stepped down, his sons Dominic and John continued his work, training elite fighters and keeping the gym’s philosophy alive.
Emotional Screenings in Sheffield
Members of the Ingle family, former boxers and trainers are set to attend a special screening at The Light cinema in Sheffield. A question-and-answer session will follow, featuring lead actor Amir El-Masry, who plays Hamed, and writer-director Rowan Athale. Athale, who grew up in Barnsley, said he felt immense pressure to get the details right. He recalled being surrounded by people eager to share their own Brendan Ingle stories during early research visits to the gym, highlighting the trainer’s impact on the community.
A Film Backed by Boxing Royalty
The project is executive produced by Sylvester Stallone, adding further weight to a story rooted in grit, discipline and mentorship. For Tara Ingle, the connection feels especially fitting, noting that her father was a lifelong fan of the Rocky films. As Giant arrives in cinemas this week, the Ingle family say they are proud not just of the film, but of how it captures Brendan Ingle’s generosity and the quiet ways he changed lives when the spotlight was off.
