Dan O’Sullivan—aka “Dagger Dan”—might be best known as the voice of the Haringey Box Cup and London 2012, but that’s only scratching the surface. He’s also a lifelong coach, a club chairman, welfare officer, MC, and community advocate. In Episode #98 of The Box Gathering Podcast, Dan sits down with us to share how he’s worn so many hats in the sport, and why boxing continues to matter—especially at the grassroots level. This episode is a reminder that success in boxing isn’t just about performance in the ring—it’s about community, consistency, and character.
A Boxing Life from the Ground Up
Dan’s roots go deep. He started boxing as a child in Dagenham alongside his brothers and eventually boxed for the Metropolitan Police, going on an unbeaten 21-bout streak. But it wasn’t long before he moved into coaching and took the reins of the Dagenham club—initially by necessity.
When the club was suddenly evicted from its space in the early ‘90s, Dan led a two-year battle against the local council, nearly losing his job as a police officer in the process. Eventually, the club was relocated to its current home—where it has now served the community for nearly 30 years.
Despite being in boxing for so long, Dan is still dedicated to improving as a coach:
“I’m always watching all the other sort of experienced coaches and picking up little bits and bobs and I just don’t think you ever stop learning as a coach. I feel like I also learn off some of the new coaches. They’ll go on sort of level ones, level twos come back with ideas and say we should do this, we should try that. And I’m always cool for that. I like to try new approaches.”
– Dan O’Sullivan
Building a Boxing Club that Welcomes Everyone
Dagenham Boxing Club, under Dan’s stewardship, emphasises not just winning titles, but nurturing community and personal development. Success in boxing is not just about the number of championship belts won, but also by the positive impact on individuals’ lives and their communities. And Dan’s approach is to ensure that everyone, regardless of background, has access to the sport and its benefits. In areas with all the different indicators of deprivation, such as Dagenham, this model proves especially effective. It stresses a foundational aspect for boxing coaches: while skill and tactics are crucial, creating a supportive, inclusive environment can transform a club into a community’s keystone.
Dan focuses most of his time coaching absolute beginners, especially the 8–11-year-olds group. He sees coaching as much more about building trust as it is about producing champions. He’s the first to admit he’s “a bit of a soft touch,” but it’s this patient, consistent presence that helps boxers stay in the sport and find their way.
“As long as they trust in you, they’ll believe in themselves. And it all happens.”
– Dan O’Sullivan
Inclusivity Over Exclusivity
Dagenham’s culture is inclusive by design—and that’s part of the reason for their recent competitive success. The club went from “ticking along” to winning 10 national titles last season, thanks to the mix of longstanding coaches and the injection of new coaches. But to keep the club inclusive, Dan is clear about the challenges his club faces. Based in a deprived area, there are boxers who can’t afford subs, kit, or travel costs. Rather than accept that as a barrier, Dan works tirelessly to find funding, apply for grants, and ensure no one gets left behind.
“One half of the boxers who can afford to do anything, go anywhere, they get to do everything. And the boxers that can’t afford it, can’t. And I feel like I don’t want to leave them out. I want to make sure all of them have got the same opportunities regardless of financial barriers.”
– Dan O’Sullivan
Big Stages, Small Details
Dan has MC’d everything from local shows to the London 2012 Olympic Games. His Olympic story started with a handshake promise and ended with him announcing the world’s biggest boxing stars. But even then, he stayed grounded—worried not about the spotlight, but about getting names right and serving the event.
“…luckily I didn’t make a mistake. That was what I was really, really worried about. I was worried about live on the air, making a mistake. It was my worst fear.”
– Dan O’Sullivan
Dan’s a key part of the Haringey Box Cup team—an event he describes as the most tiring MCing in boxing. He MCs five rings, running between them with his mic, still wearing the same pair of Italian leather shoes he started with on day one. What makes it special isn’t just the scale—it’s the experience. The Alexandra Palace venue, the organisation, and the community feel all help elevate the experience for the boxers.
“II’ve been wearing the same Italian leather shoes from day one and I will not get rid of those shoes until the Harringey Box Cup finishes. Because at some point it’s not going to happen. It’s happening again next year and there’s plans for it to happen for as long as possible. But everything comes to an end one day.”
– Dan O’Sullivan
Final Thoughts
Dan O’Sullivan isn’t just a coach or an MC—he’s a connector. He bridges the world of boxing with schools, local government, and community leaders. He sees boxing clubs not just as sports facilities, but as vital social anchors. Whether supporting a young boxer like Billy Adams or developing pathways for female participation, Dan shows what happens when you coach with the long game in mind.
“I’m a true believer that boxing saves lives, it transforms lives and it inspires lives.”
– Dan O’Sullivan
Boxing is more than a sport. It’s a tool for development, belonging, and transformation. And it’s people like Dan—behind the scenes, in the corner, and on the mic—who keep it going.