FROM Belfast to Bordeaux in 24 hours with two Mexicans...

It sounds like a wild idea for a comedy movie but it is actually what boxing trainer and manager Josh Wale went through last weekend.

The former British champion, from Brampton, manages a big stable of boxers and did not hesitate when asked if he wanted to take on the double-header.

On Friday night he was with Lakshmy Zaragoza Contreras at Waterfront Hall in Belfast as he lost 60-54 against Donagh Keary.

And just a night later he cornered Erick Omar Lopez as he scrapped to a unanimous decision loss against Abderrahmane Cherragi at Salle Eva in south-western France.

“I’m lucky that there are direct flights from Belfast to Bordeaux,” laughed the 38-year-old.

“To be honest, Belfast is my favourite city to go to.

“I’ve been there at least ten times with fighters and everytime I learn something new about the city.

“This weekend was the busiest one yet. I had a mad one going to Saudi Arabia with visa problems but this was hectic.

“I flew to Belfast on Thursday with Lakshmy for the weigh-in then the fight was Friday.

“I then flew on to Bordeaux, Lakshmy went back to Britain and then I met Erick in France on the Saturday.

“My passport has definitely had some hammer.

“I’ve had a good two years with international fighters now and a lot goes into it with booking flights and sorting visas out.”

Wale has a stable of ten fighters with Lopez in particular in high demand.

He is one of the toughest and most capable journeymen around and has three more fights lined up against top talent. Wale will be taking him and Contreras to Ballybofey, Republic of Ireland, to fight the unbeaten Rhys Owens and Danny Duffy this weekend.

It’s a chaotic life for the father-of-three but one he would not swap.

“I really enjoy it – I wouldn’t do it if I didn’t,” he said.

“Erick’s part of the furniture and has been one of my dad’s (trainer Mick) favourites as he’s happy-go-lucky and really, really tough.

“He has been here the longest of the Mexicans and can fight anything from super-bantamweight to super-featherweight. He is a high-end European journeyman who could easily go in with British champions.”

So where next for Wale?

“I would like to do something over in Mexico,” he added.

“We have good connections over there with an agent and that is something I am looking towards.”