Stephen Smith saw no need to speak to Joe Gallagher before agreeing to become Charlie Edwards’ new trainer.

Smith will work the 31-year-old Edwards’ corner for the first time on Friday, when Edwards fights France’s Georges Ory, 32, a former European bantamweight titleholder.

Friday’s fight, at London’s York Hall, is also Edwards’ first since his split with Gallagher, his former trainer and manager. Gallagher oversaw perhaps the finest years of Smith’s fighting career, and also worked with Stephen's brothers Callum, Liam and Paul. But for good or bad, Smith didn’t contact Gallagher before starting preparations with Edwards.

“Not at all,” Smith replied when asked if he had discussed the development with the Manchester-based Gallagher. “Not one bit. 

“Charlie come to me and told me a bit about what he went through with his former manager, and it was embarrassing, in my opinion. Anyone who keeps a fighter out the ring isn’t held highly in my regards anyway.

“To get him through that and get him back fighting – I don’t really care what anyone else thinks. I’m just doing my job as a trainer for him, and that’s that, really. It’s nothing to do with anyone else.

“I don’t even know where the land lies there. I’m just concentrating on my own career, really, going forward.”