Glenn McCrory’s Original IBF Belt on Auction

[Ruthless-RKO]

Not many boxers get a opponent such as Lumumba for a world title fight by a recognised organisation such as the ibf. Lumumba had only 8 wins and that does not justify being a genuine contender.

IBF were fairly new then as well. Probably not properly recognised at the time.

[overhand_right]

Not many boxers get a opponent such as Lumumba for a world title fight by a recognised organisation such as the ibf. Lumumba had only 8 wins and that does not justify being a genuine contender.

IBF were fairly new then as well. Probably not properly recognised at the time.

The IBF certainly was recognised. Mike Tyson was undisputed heavyweight champ because he unified the three belts. Holyfield undisputed crusier because he unified the three belts. The issue is he vacated, which meant three belts to fight for, which required six world class cruisers. Six world class cruisers didn't exist. Hence McCrory, Lumumba et al.

The bodies should have worked together and put on Qawi versus Bert Cooper or Carlos DeLeon for the vacant undisputed title, to spare everybody the embarrassment.

[mickey1975]

I think it was Tiny Robinson working at the time. Nice man.

[ALI]

Good to see the money is going to charity, but at 20k starting price, do we expect much bids for this? Maybe because its for charity that will help it sell, i guess?

Mcrory, Darke, Watt, very good together and i would be happy to see them all come back and replace the current set up. Times move on though and its out with the old and in with he new. I think Froch and Maliganggi do a good job with their input during fights. Not keen on Nelson or Haye, both a tad stuttery and not always as articulate as they should be on this platform. Adam Smith, i can take him or leave him. Bellew can be insightful, but i can take him or leave him too. Cant expect Sky to keep the same commentary team forever, but certainly Mcrory, Darke and Watt were a far better team than todays lot IMO.

[cormack]

£5

[Ruthless-RKO]

Did McCrory have a lot of fans when he was boxing?

Big ticket seller?

Was he more liked after he retired?

[Coco]

Did McCrory have a lot of fans when he was boxing?

Big ticket seller?

Was he more liked after he retired?

Wasn't well known at all

[bennie]

Did McCrory have a lot of fans when he was boxing?

Big ticket seller?

Was he more liked after he retired?

Yes, Glenn had big support in the North East and his British and Commonwealth title encounters with Lou Gent and Chisanda Mutti drew packed crowds to the Leisure Centre in Gateshead and he also took a lot of fans down to Wandsworth in London, where he outscored Londoner Tee Jay for the British title.
His world title encounters with Patrick Lumumba, Siza Makhatini and Jeff Lampkin - all in the North East - were massive boxing nights, as you would imagine, and while he bailed out tamely against Lampkin from a left hook to the body in front of a huge but hushed crowd, he thrilled the fans against Lumumba and particularly against Makhatini, a strong South African who dominated the early rounds but then ran out of steam and allowed Glenn to roar back with an emphatic 11-round stoppage.
More liked after he retired? He earned a lot of respect as Ian Darke's co-commentator on Sky-TV boxing nights and cemented his position over many years before Jim Watt nudged him out in more recent times. He also does a spot of acting but we are talking different realms of popularity so I can't really answer you. I met him in the bogs a few years ago at a boxing night in London and asked him about Gary, his heavyweight brother who did quite well in the amateurs but was so-so in the pros. The question startled him for a moment. I don't think anyone had ever asked him about Gary before. He was easy to talk to but seemed a bit lost without a commentating role.

[polecateddy]

His partnership with Ian Darke is definitely the best he's done. I'm not sure how tongue in cheek it is, but he seems to say on occasion how if he had better match making and training he would have been a great cruiser weight champion. I'm not sure I really buy that, and in terms of talent he's possibly outside the best 30 cruisers Britain has had. He's certainly no better than long forgotten cruiser weights like Kelly Oliver.

[MasterG]

Did McCrory have a lot of fans when he was boxing?

Big ticket seller?

Was he more liked after he retired?

I dont think Glenn had a great following, but im sure up county Durham he had a little fan base. Glenn was one of those boxers who won and lost at will im not even sure he appeared on tv before his title fight in 1989. Glenn went to america in 1988 while he was British and commonwealth Cruiserweight champion. Maybe that was for a bit of exposure Stateside as he was a sparring partner for Mike Tyson but im not really sure the year he began Tyson's sparring partner. Word had it he was the only sparring partner that could withstand Tyson and always lasted the duration. His first bout in the States was against Anthony Cooks, who at the time had a record of 0-3 but the fight didnt happen and a replacement was found in Ron Lee Warrior who was just another journeyman and had been knocked out previously by Julian Jackson and Frank Tate. Im going to guess at this time in 88 Mike Tyson was the world champ and had 3 fights, Holmes Tubbs and Spinks so im guessing Glenn was over there and got a couple of fights on small bills. At this time of 88 Tyson was due to fight Frank Bruno again im not sure of the date as Mike had some issues and the fight didnt come off, so again guessing to try and fit a reason why McRory was in america. Glenn's second fight was against regular loser Lorenzo Boyd who had been beaten by almost everyone and Glenn stopped him inside 2 rounds, Tommy Morrison did the same the following fight.

The start of 89 McCrory headed a small bill at The Marton Country Club in Middlesbrough (this club was in the news recently as it was burned to the ground) against another regular loser, Steve Mormino. Marmino had won 1 in the last 8 fights before meeting McCrory. this seemed a decent win over Angelo Musone, who in his native Italy had not been beat in 20 fights, but the quality of those 20 wins are a little unknown to be honest. Also on that bill in Boro was Glenn's brother Gary who was a heavyweight too but having seen him fight Herbie Hide back in 1989 he wasnt much cop. Again I saw him fight Joe Bugner Jr in 1992 and again he wasnt anything serious to worry about.

As the IBF title became vacant it was a surprise really that McCrory got the fight as I dont think he was with the big promoters at the time I maybe wrong but I dont think McCrory was with FW or even Mickey Duff. The fight was in Stanley, County Durham but as this is where Glenn's fanbase was it made sense to have it up north rather than Manchester or london where he wasnt really known as a serious boxer. His opponent Patrick Lamumba was a novice really of only 10 fights, 8 wins and 2 losses. Lumumba had taken James broad the distance along with Alfonso Ratliff and Jeff lampkin so even though he was only a novice he seemed to be quite durable.

I remember the fight but not really well enough to give an indepth analysis, but McCrory got the nod on all 3 cards. McCrory's second defence against Siza Makathini in Eston, Middlesbrough (chithole of a place, I actually wrote my car off there trying to get out of the town as quick as I could after a junior Teeside football match) was again nothing special and did show McCrory's limitations, I remember saying during the fight as soon as McCrory fights a Yank hes a goner!!.

Next up for glenn in his second defence was a decent cruiser at the time Jeff Lampkin. As predicted Lampkin did a number on McCrory who that night showed how good a champion Glenn really was.

I dont think Glenn really built up much of a fan base even when he was champion as he had to fight in his home county. Stepping up to heavy was just a way to make money in my opinion as he was bloody hopeless as a heavyweight prior to winning a world title. Glenn fought constant loser Terry Armstrong and as most did stopped him pretty easy. Again that fight was held in Thornaby County Durham but the main event was Ken Lakusta v Pierre Coertzer. After that glenn went on to a fight he could never have won against the then British and European champ, Lennox Lewis. Lewis again showed how good Glenn really was stopping him inside 2 one sided rounds. Glenn then rather than retiring popped of to France for a couple of fights getting a draws again raw novice Mohamed Bouchiche over 8 rounds.

Glenn then traveled to the States again back in 1993 and got a 10 round decision over Mark Young. Which lead to a borefest last fight in Russia against Alfred Cole. Cole won an easy 12 round points wide decision.

In my opinion if glenn hadnt got that title shot he would have stayed an unkown journeyman from County Durham. Fair play to the geezer he got a title shot and won and went on to earn a few quid on tv.

I was never much of a fan of his, and in my opinion he wasnt much more than a British level fighter at the very most. He wasnt world class and didnt do anything to get into a world title position, I will never know how he got that crack at the IBF belt but he will never be remembered as a genuine world champion.

[MasterG]

I dont think Glenn had a great following, but im sure up county Durham he had a little fan base. Glenn was one of those boxers who won and lost at will im not even sure he appeared on tv before his title fight in 1989. Glenn went to america in 1988 while he was British and commonwealth Cruiserweight champion. Maybe that was for a bit of exposure Stateside as he was a sparring partner for Mike Tyson but im not really sure the year he began Tyson's sparring partner. Word had it he was the only sparring partner that could withstand Tyson and always lasted the duration. His first bout in the States was against Anthony Cooks, who at the time had a record of 0-3 but the fight didnt happen and a replacement was found in Ron Lee Warrior who was just another journeyman and had been knocked out previously by Julian Jackson and Frank Tate. Im going to guess at this time in 88 Mike Tyson was the world champ and had 3 fights, Holmes Tubbs and Spinks so im guessing Glenn was over there and got a couple of fights on small bills. At this time of 88 Tyson was due to fight Frank Bruno again im not sure of the date as Mike had some issues and the fight didnt come off, so again guessing to try and fit a reason why McRory was in america. Glenn's second fight was against regular loser Lorenzo Boyd who had been beaten by almost everyone and Glenn stopped him inside 2 rounds, Tommy Morrison did the same the following fight.

The start of 89 McCrory headed a small bill at The Marton Country Club in Middlesbrough (this club was in the news recently as it was burned to the ground) against another regular loser, Steve Mormino. Marmino had won 1 in the last 8 fights before meeting McCrory. this seemed a decent win over Angelo Musone, who in his native Italy had not been beat in 20 fights, but the quality of those 20 wins are a little unknown to be honest. Also on that bill in Boro was Glenn's brother Gary who was a heavyweight too but having seen him fight Herbie Hide back in 1989 he wasnt much cop. Again I saw him fight Joe Bugner Jr in 1992 and again he wasnt anything serious to worry about.

As the IBF title became vacant it was a surprise really that McCrory got the fight as I dont think he was with the big promoters at the time I maybe wrong but I dont think McCrory was with FW or even Mickey Duff. The fight was in Stanley, County Durham but as this is where Glenn's fanbase was it made sense to have it up north rather than Manchester or london where he wasnt really known as a serious boxer. His opponent Patrick Lamumba was a novice really of only 10 fights, 8 wins and 2 losses. Lumumba had taken James broad the distance along with Alfonso Ratliff and Jeff lampkin so even though he was only a novice he seemed to be quite durable.

I remember the fight but not really well enough to give an indepth analysis, but McCrory got the nod on all 3 cards. McCrory's second defence against Siza Makathini in Eston, Middlesbrough (chithole of a place, I actually wrote my car off there trying to get out of the town as quick as I could after a junior Teeside football match) was again nothing special and did show McCrory's limitations, I remember saying during the fight as soon as McCrory fights a Yank hes a goner!!.

Next up for glenn in his second defence was a decent cruiser at the time Jeff Lampkin. As predicted Lampkin did a number on McCrory who that night showed how good a champion Glenn really was.

I dont think Glenn really built up much of a fan base even when he was champion as he had to fight in his home county. Stepping up to heavy was just a way to make money in my opinion as he was bloody hopeless as a heavyweight prior to winning a world title. Glenn fought constant loser Terry Armstrong and as most did stopped him pretty easy. Again that fight was held in Thornaby County Durham but the main event was Ken Lakusta v Pierre Coertzer. After that glenn went on to a fight he could never have won against the then British and European champ, Lennox Lewis. Lewis again showed how good Glenn really was stopping him inside 2 one sided rounds. Glenn then rather than retiring popped of to France for a couple of fights getting a draws again raw novice Mohamed Bouchiche over 8 rounds.

Glenn then traveled to the States again back in 1993 and got a 10 round decision over Mark Young. Which lead to a borefest last fight in Russia against Alfred Cole. Cole won an easy 12 round points wide decision.

In my opinion if glenn hadnt got that title shot he would have stayed an unkown journeyman from County Durham. Fair play to the geezer he got a title shot and won and went on to earn a few quid on tv.

I was never much of a fan of his, and in my opinion he wasnt much more than a British level fighter at the very most. He wasnt world class and didnt do anything to get into a world title position, I will never know how he got that crack at the IBF belt but he will never be remembered as a genuine world champion.

I'm not sure how much of a following McCrory had but he was a Jnr ABA champion, turned professional under Doug Bidwell (who'd managed Alan Minter to a world title) and racked up a string of wins in his first couple of years as a pro.

So I think McCrory was reasonably high profile early in his career. Not a huge star by any means but he was seen as somebody with potential, at least for a time. Being young, tall and decent looking didn't harm his profile either.

I think there was stuff in Boxing News, etc. back in the day touting McCrory as a heavyweight hope (although obviously he soon came unstuck). McCrory was also on TV - I remember him getting stopped by Hughroy Currie on Fight Night, although I don't know if any of his other fights were televised. Maybe McCrory v Pika was on the tele, I dunno.

I can see how Glenn got a title shot inasmuch as he was British and Commonwealth champion and had a few good wins at cruiserweight by then. So he would have been pretty well placed to fight for the IBF title, which was quite lightly regarded at the time. It's not as if he suddenly came from nowhere.

I dont 'diss' Glenn for getting a title shot but it was the choice of opponent at the time and the defence. For me it makes a mockery of boxing organisations letting a bloke fight for a world title with 8 wins 2 losses. Apart from Glenn winning the domestic titles I really dont feel he beat anything better than Tee Jay, Andy Straughn and Lou Gent. Gent was a better boxer than Lumumba or Siza Makathini, and im sure there would have been better boxers out there that qualified better for a shot than the 2 Africans.

[keithmoonhangover]

I'm not sure how much of a following McCrory had but he was a Jnr ABA champion, turned professional under Doug Bidwell (who'd managed Alan Minter to a world title) and racked up a string of wins in his first couple of years as a pro.

So I think McCrory was reasonably high profile early in his career. Not a huge star by any means but he was seen as somebody with potential, at least for a time. Being young, tall and decent looking didn't harm his profile either.

I think there was stuff in Boxing News, etc. back in the day touting McCrory as a heavyweight hope (although obviously he soon came unstuck). McCrory was also on TV - I remember him getting stopped by Hughroy Currie on Fight Night, although I don't know if any of his other fights were televised. Maybe McCrory v Pika was on the tele, I dunno.

I can see how Glenn got a title shot inasmuch as he was British and Commonwealth champion and had a few good wins at cruiserweight by then. So he would have been pretty well placed to fight for the IBF title, which was quite lightly regarded at the time. It's not as if he suddenly came from nowhere.

I dont 'diss' Glenn for getting a title shot but it was the choice of opponent at the time and the defence. For me it makes a mockery of boxing organisations letting a bloke fight for a world title with 8 wins 2 losses. Apart from Glenn winning the domestic titles I really dont feel he beat anything better than Tee Jay, Andy Straughn and Lou Gent. Gent was a better boxer than Lumumba or Siza Makathini, and im sure there would have been better boxers out there that qualified better for a shot than the 2 Africans.

Lumumba was a lot better than his record and was coming off very good wins over Jeff Lampkin and Alfonso Ratcliff. Who did Lou Gent beat of that caliber?

[polecateddy]

Just out of interest was the 'sparring a hundred plus rounds with Mike Tyson and was never floored' ever reported by anyone else other than Glenn? I wonder if perhaps it was far fewer rounds.

[Autobarn]

He did well to win a title and I think he had a successful title defence in one hell of a good fight - was it Makitini?

Boxing News applauded him for his passion & bravery that night and contrasted him with Johnny Nelson’s feeble and bizarre effort vs Carlos Deleon.

What a reversal, that Nelson would become a prolific if maddening world title holder and Mccory would never win another title fight.

Boxing is more technical now and the art of developing and managing a fighter has also come along, and I’m sure he could’ve been a beltolder briefly in this era.

[MasterG]

He did well to win a title and I think he had a successful title defence in one hell of a good fight - was it Makitini?

Boxing News applauded him for his passion & bravery that night and contrasted him with Johnny Nelson’s feeble and bizarre effort vs Carlos Deleon.

What a reversal, that Nelson would become a prolific if maddening world title holder and Mccory would never win another title fight.

Boxing is more technical now and the art of developing and managing a fighter has also come along, and I’m sure he could’ve been a beltolder briefly in this era.

Johhny Nelson was a better fighter than McCrory. He had a few stinkers too especially the one against Carlos DeLeon. Johnny also held the WBF version and was actually WBF heavyweight champion too.

[mickey1975]

Nelson was an excellent fighter.

[polecateddy]

Nelson is arguably our best ever cruiser, depending what you make of David Haye’s best run.

[margaret thatcher]

Johnny would've beat Usyk

[Autobarn]

Nelson was a superb defensive fighter but very limited offensively. He couldn’t, or wouldn’t, take the lead. He wouldn’t throw punches for the first four rounds vs Dominguez, the first five vs Cantatore and he wasn’t throwing anything until that freak punch in the eye of Ezra Sellers well into the second half of the fight. Some of these fights the Sky Sports commentary crew were enormously anxious for him just to actually throw punches.

I’m guessing Nelson had more weird fights like the Deleon one, where he wouldn’t throw anything.

He would’ve been far too passive for Usyk, who would likely have dominated & stopped him.

That said, good win over Carl Thompson, and the wins over Dominguez & Sellers are good results.

[TheGoods]

Lost to my friend Dave Garside then when Dave was promoting I never thought he gave the North East (Hartlepool) lads the props they deserved while commentating. If his Twitter is a thing to go by he’s hitting the peeve big time currently. Likeable geezer mind. And it’s a disgrace he wasn’t allowed any pound a pint action.

[mickey1975]

Lost to my friend Dave Garside then when Dave was promoting I never thought he gave the North East (Hartlepool) lads the props they deserved while commentating. If his Twitter is a thing to go by he’s hitting the peeve big time currently. Likeable geezer mind. And it’s a disgrace he wasn’t allowed any pound a pint action.

He’s barred.

[polecateddy]

The Thompson fight might have been his best, where he really grabbed the opportunity with both hands after being in the journeyman heavyweight wastelands for years.

[MasterG]

Lost to my friend Dave Garside then when Dave was promoting I never thought he gave the North East (Hartlepool) lads the props they deserved while commentating. If his Twitter is a thing to go by he’s hitting the peeve big time currently. Likeable geezer mind. And it’s a disgrace he wasn’t allowed any pound a pint action.

I think Dave Garside's best win was over Anthony Witherspoon. I saw that fight along with another of Garside's fights in the late 80's. If Garside could have followed up that win over Siza Makathini it could have lead Dave to a possible title shot.