McCrory’s fighters spoil St Partick's Day for Irish select

Mar 18 2008 by Stuart Rayner, The Journal

NORTHUMBRIA’S boxers spoiled Steve Collins’ St Patrick’s Day celebrations in Gosforth last night.

With one fight remaining between Glenn McCrory’s Northumbria and former Super Middleweight World Champion Collins’ Irish Select XI, the hosts were leading 5-2. Grainger Park fighter Douggy Curran won the tightest contest of the night, beating visiting fighter Ciaran Bates 3-2 on points. The Northumbrian team were all products of McCrory’s Newbiggin Hall gym.

The final bout of the night was the last for Newcastle’s Mark Clauzel before turning professional today. McCrory hopes Clauzel’s partnership with promoter Frank Maloney can lead to a revival of the sport in the region.

“He’s got a great deal of flair and it’s great to have a kid from the West End of Newcastle with such promise,” said McCrory, still the North East’s only boxing World Champion. “There’s a revival in boxing here. I guarantee within the next few years we’ll be producing champions.”

Last night saw the third outing under McCrory after back-to-back wins against Scotland Select teams.

RESULTS

(the Northumbria fighters in capitals)

MOHAMMED RAZZAQ beat Stephen Carroll (retired)

JO WHITFIELD beat Emmet Brennan (points)

Sean Hunt beat TEEJAN MASSALLY (points)

LAWRENCE OSUEKE beat Robert Burke (retired)

DOUGGY CURRAN beat Ciaran Bates (points)

Luke Keeler beat ROBERT ISMAY (fight stopped in second round)

JON-LEWIS DICKINSON beat Jimmy Sweeney on points

MARK CLAUZEL v Andrew Jennings (still to fight)