This June will see the 30-year anniversary of when the face of North East boxing, Glenn McCrory, had his crowning glory night when he defeated Patrick Lumumba in Stanley to lift the IBF cruiserweight world title.
An incredible journey saw Glenn go from mis-managed boxer losing four fights in a row to world champion, but what many don’t realise is the inspiration behind Glenn’s incredible story – the reason he refused to give up.
That reason was David – Glenn’s adopted brother, who suffered from the muscle-wasting disease, Friedreich’s ataxia.
Just 17 months younger than Glenn, the two brothers became very close, but David should never have been there the night Glenn was crowned champion of the world.
David battled bravely to defy doctors’ predictions that he’d be lucky to see 16 and, despite his physical weaknesses, it was his mental strength and defiant character that inspired Glenn to never give up and go after his dreams.
The inspirational story, based on Glenn’s autobiography Carrying David, has now been turned into a stage play by North East writer Ed Waugh, and will be performed around North East theatres throughout May and June.
Glenn said: “I’m really looking forward to seeing the show. Ed is a fantastic writer and I couldn’t think of anyone I’d want to write the script for this more.
“This has always been a dream of mine and has been in the works for 20 years. The story being told on stage was first discussed to coincide with the opening of the Durham Gala Theatre, and that all fell through.
“But I always wanted this story to be told – for David.
“David was such an incredible person. So brave, so strong and very funny. He was my inspiration and without him I might have given up boxing many years before the world title fight.
“David and my mam were not meant to be there on the night and I remember going back to my corner so far through the fight and it was the toughest period in the fight. I was tiring and Lumumba started to come on strong. I sat on my stool and out of the corner of my eye I saw David. That was it. I was not losing that fight.
“That’s why I’ve always wanted this story to be told. I got my prize. I got the title. I got the adulation. I got the rewards.
“But that title and this story is as much David’s as it is mine and I want as many people as possible to know about what an incredible person he was.”
The play will be a one-man show and will see Micky Cochrane play Glenn. He’s been training with Glenn and some of his professional protégés to whip himself into shape ahead of the shows.
Among the run will be a show at the Alun Armstrong Theatre, Stanley, on Monday, June 3 – exactly 30 years to the day that Glenn won the world title.
Glenn admits he can’t wait to see how Micky does, but has the utmost confidence that he and Ed will more than do justice to a wonderful tale of overcoming all odds, and also the loving bond between two brothers.
Now 54, it’s been 23 years since Glenn, and the McCrory family, lost David, aged 29. And the boxer admits he still struggles with it even to this day.
“Not a day goes by where David doesn’t cross my mind at least once,” he admitted.
“When David died it absolutely devastated me and, if I’m being honest, I still don’t think I’m really over it even now.
“Given such a small age gap between us we grew up together and were so close.
“Being world champion wasn’t just my dream, it was his too.
“We’d sit in our bedroom reading boxing books and dreaming together that one day that would be me. I used to carry David to school – which is where the name comes from – but David carried me in so many other ways. I’m so excited to see the play, but it will be difficult too.
“All the family will be there in Stanley on June 3 – the anniversary of the Lumumba fight – and I’m sure it will be a really emotional night.
“I’ll laugh, I’ll cry, but most of all I’ll remember David with an incredible sense of pride.”
On June 3 and 4, shows start at 7.30pm both nights with a matinee on June 4 at 2.30pm
The play opens at Tyneside Irish Centre, Newcastle, on May 31, and tours to Playhouse Whitley Bay, Hartlepool Town Hall Theatre, Westovian Theatre (South Shields) and the Georgian Theatre Royal, Richmond, North Yorkshire.
For more information see Wisecrackproductions.co.uk
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