Lawrence Okolie has vowed to become Joe Gallagher's first ever world heavyweight champion, days after the boxing trainer revealed he was suffering from stage four bowel and liver cancer.

Gallagher, 56, has been suffering with the disease since November and has since been undergoing chemotherapy treatment.

He revealed in a statement: "I know I have to prioritise my health at this time, yet boxing is giving me that bit of escapism I need right now. As I go through my own battle, being around an incredible team of fighters is helping me continue to do what I love.

"I've only just begun my fight back against this disease, there's still so much I am processing, which is very hard to talk about right now; it's also a very difficult time for my family & friends too.”

But it's set to be a busy couple of months for Gallagher, who has Natasha Jonas (16-2-1, 9 KOs) in world title unification action on March 7th against Lauren Price (8-0, 2 KOs), before Lawrence Okolie (22-1, 16 KOs) takes on Richard Riakporhe (17-1, 13 KOs) in a big heavyweight fight on April 5th.

Not that he needed much more of it, with Okolie and Riakporhe's rivalry already a fierce one, but Gallagher's condition has given the Londonder extra motivation to go and beat his foe when the pair clash at Manchester's Co-Op Live Arena.

Okolie, however, is clear on the fact that his fight with Riakporhe isn't the only battle he needs to win for his trainer. He wants to be Gallagher's first ever world heavyweight champion.

Ranked No. 3 with the WBC, and with Oleksandr Usyk's plans in the division unclear, the belts could be freed up by the end of the year and Okolie may be in position to claim the top prize at some point.

He told The Ring: "I found out a few weeks ago, obviously I've been in Dubai. He didn't want to do it via phone call but when we were talking about my next fight he felt like he had to tell me.

"I said to him it's not only about April 5th now, it's about winning him another world title, he hasn't had a heavyweight world champion yet, so we're gonna get one."

Okolie also revealed that Gallagher kept his condition secret from his stable of fighters for a little while, for fear of causing distraction in the wake of some important fights on the horizon.

Okolie added: "It's a testament to [Gallagher's] character and dedication to his athletes that he maintained professionalism, he didn't tell us what he was going through while he's been going through it because he didn't want to distract us from his fights.

"For him to battle through it by himself, though we want transparency, it's testament to his character. It's been hard since finding out, but at the end of the day we're not the ones living with it.

"He's the sort of coach that doesn't want sympathy or wants anything to change. He doesn't look or act like someone who's got cancer, or a soon-to-be survivor. He's just Joe Gallagher, the boxing trainer, husband and father."