BOXING legend Glenn McCrory last night launched a new beer created at a North-East microbrewery to celebrate the 30th anniversary of his world title win.
Our Hero was unveiled at The Grey Horse in Consett with a talk by the 54-year-old former fighter.
The 3.8 per cent traditional English pale ale has been brewed by Consett Ale Works, which is part of the traditional pub in the former steel town.
It celebrates a historic sporting feat for the region, which took place on June 3, 1989, when McCrory landed the Cruiserweight title at the Louisa Centre in Stanley, in front of 1,500 spectators and a live, international television audience.
Our Hero, available in cask and bottles, is on sale at the Grey Horse and will be rolled out to pubs and outlets throughout the region.
David Wilkinson, from Consett Ale Works, said: “Glenn is a sporting superstar hailing from North-West Durham, so it was a no-brainer to celebrate his brilliant achievement to link in with the 30th anniversary of his victory.
“Here at Consett Ale Works we brew beers to celebrate the region’s industrial heritage of shipbuilding, coal and steelmaking which have forged the backbone of our proud northern landscape.
“Glenn is a product of that wonderful heritage; his father was a Consett steel worker and his four uncles were miners in local pits.”
McCrory, who is from Annfield Plain, joined Consett Sports Centre boxing club aged 12 his first amateur boxing debut took place on October 6, 1979, in Witton Gilbert Working Men’s Club, when he was 15.
He said: “I trained in Consett for the world title fight, running the Consett Moors every day with my wonderful trainer Alan Walker who still lives in Castleside. I even ran a pub there.
“So I’m delighted Consett Ale Works have brewed a beer to commemorate the world title. It’s a canny pint, as well.”
McCrory was joined last night by North-East playwright Ed Waugh, who has penned a show about the night the boxer beat Patrick Lumumba on home turf.
Carrying David tells the story of how he was inspired by his younger adopted brother, who suffered from a terminal illness.
McCrory said: “David was my inspiration. He joined McCrory family when he was six years old and, being only 17 months younger than me, we became very close.
“He had a muscle wasting disease called Friedreich’s Ataxia which mean David struggled to walk. As kids, I would carrying him on my back, hence the name of my autobiography and the play, Carrying David.
“But his spirit was ferocious, and just being with David inspired me to pick myself up and start again.”
Carrying David, which stars Micky Cochrane, will be performed at the Alun Armstrong Theatre, Stanley, on Monday and Tuesday June 3 and 4. Shows start at 7.30pm both nights with a matinee on the Tuesday at 2.30pm
Cochrane said: “In addition to learning every single line, it involves developing the physique of a world champion cruiserweight so I’ve been in training since January: practising boxing moves with Glenn as well as working with other experts such as nutritional and vitamin specialists and a personal trainer.
“Playing Glenn isn’t a normal acting job.”
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