By Ian Aldous: With an exciting new season of British boxing upon us, who better to look at what’s ahead than veteran Sky Sports pundit and former World cruiserweight champion, Glenn McCrory (30-8-1).
We’re two weeks into the new British boxing season. Of all the British talent, whom do you pick to go on and win a World championship in the next year?
GM “To win a World title this season? It’s a tough one. I think Jamie McDonnell has got a great, great chance. He was fabulous against Stuart Hall (British, Commonwealth and European bantamweight title fight) two weekends ago. It’s such a big leap from British level to winning a World title, it’s such a huge leap but I think Jamie proved against Stuart Hall that he has the calibre and the pedigree to be World class even though it’s a hard division.
And what about Kell Brook?
GM “Kell Brook would be another one of my picks. He’s another one that’s in a super-hard division with some of the best fighters on the planet. I’d love to see him get the opportunity to do it and get his chance against the right opponent but obviously with the superstars that are in his division, it’s tough. I’d love to see Kell Brook against Andre Berto this season or somebody that we know is World class.
On Saturday October 1st, Darren Barker takes on Sergio Martinez in Atlantic City. Martinez is seen as one of the best P4P fighters in the world. How much of a chance do you give Darren of beating Martinez?
GM “Let me tell you something, I love Darren Barker. He’s a fighter’s fighter; he’s just a good old London boy who’s paid his dues. He’s done it at English, British, Commonwealth and European (level), he’s done the lot and I think he’s got a great chance. Martinez is getting old and I think Darren has a great chance of winning the World title. He’s a diamond of a kid.
On Saturday October 29th, Carl Froch and Andre Ward battle for the WBC, WBA and Ring Magazine belts as well as the super six tournament trophy and the right to call themselves the best super-middleweight in the world. Who do you see winning this huge fight?
GM “I think Carl’s really up against it. If I’m honest and I was gonna bet, I’d bet on Ward. I was out in Oakland and I was with Andre a couple of years ago, I took a boxing team over there and we fought them. He was in the gym every day and with kids every day, training every day. He’s a really class bloke. I’d like to say it’s a 50/50 fight but it’s probably 60/40 to Ward. He might just have a bit too much class. They’re both great guys and I think Carl is so underestimated.
Also in October, Nathan Cleverly defends his WBO light-heavyweight title against Commonwealth champion, Tony Bellew. Nathan has been quoted as calling Tony ‘limited’. Not many people are giving Tony a chance in this fight; do you give him a chance?
GM “It’s a great fight. Tony’s a great kid and Nathan’s a great kid. It’s like the ego has landed, they’re both very different but they’ve both got massive egos (laughs). If I’m honest I think Tony’s got talent and he can punch but if you’re gonna be a World champion you don’t get almost knocked out by Ovill McKenzie, you just don’t. If you’re gonna be a World champion, you should knock him out. I’m old school and Nathan loves a tear-up, he’s not scared about getting hit on the chin and that’s my kind of fighter.