EXCLUSIVE: Chris Eubank Jr's trainer is arrested at Manchester Airport after a gun was found in a suitcase by security checks ahead of his flight to the US after Saturday night's fight

The trainer of Chris Eubank Jr was arrested by armed airport police after security officials found a gun in a suitcase.

Mail Sport understands Brian ‘Bomac’ McIntyre was detained amid dramatic scenes at Manchester Airport on Sunday morning.

The alarm was raised when a scan of the baggage – which had been checked in ahead of a flight – allegedly showed the weapon.

Police officers with their own guns descended on the departure lounge at Terminal 2 and arrested 53-year-old McIntyre, who was due to fly to Atlanta, for suspected possession of a firearm.

McIntyre, himself a former boxer from the United States, had overseen Eubank Jr’s comprehensive victory over Liam Smith in their middleweight rematch in the city on Saturday night.

It came on the morning after Eubank Jr’s (centre with McIntyre, second left) convincing victory over Liam Smith on Saturday night at the AO Arena in Manchester

A police spokesperson said a gun was seized which was found in hold luggage by airport staff

The suitcase was checked in with little attempt to conceal the weapon, it is thought. A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said: ‘At around 10:45 am on Sunday 3 September 2023, officers were called to reports of a possible firearm being found in hold luggage by airport staff at Manchester Airport.

‘After initial inspection by security staff, GMP officers attended, and the firearm was seized. 

‘Subsequently, a man has been arrested for possession of a firearm and remains in custody for further questioning.’

How the gun came to be in the suitcase will form part of the police’s probe.

McIntyre is widely regarded as one of the best trainers in the sport. He orchestrated what was Eubank’s career-best performance in the pair’s first fight together. Crawford is viewed by some as the finest pound-for-pound fighters on the planet. 

He has also been in the corner for former super-featherweight champion Jamel Herring and trained Amir Khan for his fight with Kell Brook last year.

McIntyre also trains US star Terence Crawford. The pair grew up on the same Omaha street and trained at the same gym.

Eubank Jr’s team declined to comment when approached by Mail Sport.