AFTER the glory, glory years of former world boxing champion Glenn McCrory, experts reckon Derwentside's new kid on the block could surpass even his achievements, writes CHRIS WEBBER.

David Pendelton-Passmore, still only 18, took a gold medal at the Multi-Nations Championship in Greece.

And his trainers reckon he is well on the way to picking up enough points to be selected for Britain's Olympic Team for the 2004 games in Athens.

"He's the best kept secret in Derwentside," said Rob Walsh, manager of the Louisa Centre in Stanley who helps train light heavyweight David.

"He's excelled in three major tournaments this year coming bronze, silver and finally gold, and is boxing for the Young England team.

"Put it this way, he's had more international amateur boxing experience than any other boxer from the area ever and that includes Glenn McCrory. After Greece the national boxing coach had the whole team giving him a standing ovation. After a match against a Polish team they came up with a trophy just for him."

David, from South Stanley comes from a boxing family and travels to the region's boxing academy at the East Durham and Houghall Community College at Peterlee every day.

He hopes to follow in the footsteps of Glenn McCrory, originally from Annfield Plain, who won the IBF cruiserweight world title 11 years ago at the Louisa Centre.