Johnny Nelson and Junior Witter, former world boxing champions, raise a glass to late mentor Brendan Ingle at Rotherham pub

IN THE unlikely event that this Rotherham pub ever needs a couple of bouncers, they could do worse by hiring these two bruisers.

Johnny Nelson (left) was the WBO title holder between 1999 and 2006 and remains the longest-reigning cruiserweight world boxing champion of all time.

His pal Junior Witter held the even more revered WBC world strap, from 2006 to 2008, at light welterweight.

The knockout pair teamed up for a pint of Guinness each on St Patrick’s Day at the Deer Park Tap, Doncaster Road, Thrybergh.

They raised a glass to their mentor, the late Dublin-born trainer Brendan Ingle, who died in 2018.

Brendan piloted the careers of Witter and Nelson and other fighters like Naseem Hamed, Herol Graham, Kell Brook and Ryan Rhodes, at his Wincobank, Sheffield gym.

Sky TV commentator Nelson (56) and Witter (49) who runs his own gym in Chesterton Road, Eastwood, are not exactly regulars at the Deer Park, or any other pub, come to that.

Deer Park manager Cat Cooney said: “It was the first time they had popped in to our bar, but they have used our tea room, deli, and farm shop before.

“They came in with a friend of theirs, who is a regular, and had a pint for St Patrick’s Day.

“I had heard of Brendan Ingle, but I don’t really follow boxing.

“They probably aren’t regular drinkers but they did enjoy a pint of Guinness with us.”