HE NEVER achieved what he wanted to as a fighter, but Tony Borg has firmly established himself as one of the finest boxing coaches in Wales and Megan’s Boy – the St Joseph’s trainer’s new biography – is a fitting tribute to a stellar career.

Borg and author Amanda Aubrey-Brown launched the book on home turf in Cardiff’s Butetown on Sunday and the tales of his Tiger Bay upbringing provide an intriguing insight into his formative years.

After losing his mother Megan when he was just 17, Borg decided to build on an impressive amateur boxing career by turning pro in 1983.

The high point of his time in the paid ranks was challenging Newport’s Steve Sims for the Welsh featherweight title in May 1986.

But Sims, the former British champ, prevailed on points at Risca Leisure Centre and Borg’s undoubted talent in the ring ultimately went unfulfilled.

A nasty car accident and a brief spell in prison followed before he reluctantly retired in 1992 aged 33.

But that was not the end of his love affair with boxing and it is as a trainer that Borg has really made his name.

Together with fellow coaches Roger Williams, Billy Reynolds and Dave Exton, Borg has enjoyed a remarkable run of success over the last dozen years or so.

The St Joes team have guided the likes of Lee Selby, Andrew Selby, Gary Buckland, Robbie Turley, Craig Evans and Ashley Brace to world, European, British, Commonwealth, Celtic and Welsh titles.

The Newport gym also boasts an impressive record when it comes to training amateur fighters, including Olympic silver medallist Fred Evans and Commonwealth Games champion Sean McGoldrick.

Borg’s success has not gone unnoticed. He was named Sport Wales coach of the year in 2011 and was inducted into the British Ex-Boxers Association Hall of Fame last month.

But his achievements and those of everyone at St Joes deserve more recognition from those outside the boxing fraternity.

The 53-year-old told the Argus earlier this year: “You don’t set out to do this for awards but getting them is recognition of the hard work you put in.

“In the beginning I set out to win a British title and I won two in one week with Gary Buckland and Lee Selby.

“Then it was the European title, which Ashley Brace and Craig Evans won, and obviously Lee Selby becoming world champion.

“You have also got Sean McGoldrick, Gavin Gwynne, Lance Cooksey, lots of good fighters coming through, all unbeaten, doing well and dedicated, and they’ve got Lee to look up to.”

As for how much longer he’s got at the top level, he said: “There’s definitely a few more years left in me yet.”

Lee Selby’s world title defeat to Josh Warrington in Leeds in May was a big blow but life goes on and the next chapter in the Tony Borg story comes this Saturday at the Newport Centre.

Borg is in for a busy night with six fighters on a packed bill. Andrew Selby, Fred Evans, Turley, Gwynne, Brace and debutant Robbie Vernon are all in action on the Sanigar Events show.

Top of the bill is Turley’s Commonwealth super-bantamweight title clash with Ashley Lane.

Turley hasn’t fought since April 2017 when he claimed the then vacant title with a ninth-round stoppage of Bobby Jenkinson in Newport.

But in February this year it was revealed that the Cefn Fforest fighter had failed a post-fight drugs test.

Turley admitted the violation but insisted he took the banned diuretic furosemide by mistake while visiting his ill grandmother.

A hearing found the 31-year-old was at “no significant fault or negligence” and he’s keen to get back in the ring.

That was the second bump in the road for Turley who had previously spent two years on the sidelines after concerns over a routine brain scan saw the British Boxing Board of Control withdraw his licence.

He fought hard to prove his health wasn’t at risk and in late 2013 was allowed to box on.

Borg has been by his side throughout the ups and downs and nights like Saturday’s title showdown in front of the S4C cameras are the reason why both men have dedicated their lives to boxing.

Here’s hoping both of them have a smile on their face this weekend.

Doors open at 4.30pm on Saturday with the first bell scheduled for 5pm. Tickets are available at myfighttickets.com or on 01179496699.

Megan’s Boy is available to buy at amazon.co.uk priced at £12.99.