Yet more boxing accolades for Joshua's trainer McCracken

The 49-year-old received the Joe Bromley Award for outstanding services to boxing at the Boxing Writers' Club of Great Britain annual dinner, held at The Savoy Hotel.

McCracken has been involved in the sport for 30 years, first as a boxer, when he lost only two of his 35 fights, then as a coach after retiring in 2001.

The GB Boxing Performance Director has seen Great Britain win 63 medals at 19 major championships as well as guiding Carl Froch and Joshua to world titles.

At the same ceremony, Peter McGrail was named Best Amateur Boxer of the Year, four months on from becoming the second Englishman to win a European Championship title for over fifty years.

The 21-year-old took European bantamweight gold in Ukraine in June, the second time there has been an English champion since 1961, and was Great Britain's only medallist at the World Championships in September, where he claimed bronze.

The Liverpudlian joins Olympic gold medallists Joshua, James DeGale and Nicola Adams on the list of previous winners and McCracken made sure all the attention was on the boxer's achievements.

"Peter McGrail is a terrific talent," he said. "He has had a great year, winning the European Championships and getting a bronze medal in the World Championships, and ought to be extremely proud of what he has achieved in the last six months."

But McGrail fired his compliments straight back, recognising the role the GB set-up has played in his rise since he joined the Elite Podium Squad almost three years ago.

"There have been so many good names win this award in the past, so it's nice to be added to that list," he admitted.

"I am happy with the medals that I've won at the World and European Championships.

"I would not have been able to do it without the GB coaches that train me in Sheffield so I would like to say a massive thank you to them for their support. "

Sportsbeat 2017