- Ask Steven
Newcastle's boxing hero
I once met a Geordie boxer who had apparently been the world cruiserweight champion. Who was this? asked Michael Holland
Four British fighters have held versions of the world cruiserweight title. Most recently Londoner David Haye was the WBA and WBC champion in 2007-08 (and the WBO title-holder briefly in 2008).
Johnny Nelson from Sheffield was the WBO champion between 1999 and 2006, during which time he made an impressive 13 successful defences before retiring. Nelson had taken the title off another Brit, Carl Thompson from Manchester, in March 1999.
I think the fourth man is your Geordie: Glenn McCrory, who was born in Durham, won the IBF cruiserweight title by beating the champion Patrick Lumumba of Kenya in June 1989.
He defended the belt against South Africa's Siza Makathini four months later, but lost to the American Jeff Lampkin at Gateshead in March 1990, after being knocked out in the third round.
You can often hear McCrory's distinctive tones these days as a boxing analyst for Sky Sports.
