Tributes paid to boxing coach who trained Ricky Burns

Veteran coach Ran Bannan became a legendary figure among Coatbridge locals over the past 40 years.

30th Jul 2020

Tributes have been paid following the death of a popular boxing coach who trained world champion Ricky Burns.

Rab Bannan, from Coatbridge, trained up and coming fighters at the Barn gym, which has produced more junior champions than any club in Europe.

The veteran boxing coach became a legendary figure among locals after training young boxers for more than 40 years.

Bannan first met Burns when the future three-time world champion asked if he could run with him through a local park one morning.

He also won an unsung hero award in 2015 for his work in the community.

Among those paying tribute is fellow Coatbridge resident and Bannan’s cousin Mark Millar.

The comic book writer wrote: “Just got word my oldest cousin Rab Bannan has passed away.

“A large number of local followers here who knew him & even trained with him in the boxing world so I just wanted to get the word out. He was a legend & a great Coatbridge guy.

“RIP to a fine man.”

And STV News reporter Oliver Dickinson, who met Bannan in 2016, said: “It was clear that everyone respected and admired him, he didn’t need to shout or bellow to get attention, everyone know he was the man.

“He was idolised by the kids and many of the older guys – some who acknowledged that without Rab they didn’t know what their lives would look like.

“He was a gentleman, respectful and proud of Coatbridge, proud of his gym and his home.”