On Wednesday 11 August former IBF Cruiserweight world champion Glenn McCrory visited Sunderland Community Hub to help inspire the young Wearside boxers of the future.

The former world champion answered questions and told anecdotes about the world of boxing, and provided a special insight in to the values of the sport.  He then watched a series of sparring sessions delivered by the young boxers, and gave them useful hints and tips to help motivate their training regime.

McCrory also chatted about his autobiographical play, “Carrying David”, which enjoys a tour of the North-East next month.

Glenn McCrory, said: “Young people need support in there endeavours especially in these challenging times because it’s difficult to do special things on your own you need specialist guidance!

“If you are going to embark on a personal journey in boxing then you will need to be prepared to work hard, make sacrifices, and look for the best people to support you. Boxing is an individual sport but you need a good team to support you.”

The Sunderland Community Hub (SCH) is a boxing and general fitness club that is run by local firefighters, which offers boxing and fitness classes for anyone in the community, from children to adults.

Chief Fire Officer, Chris Lowther of Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, said: “We are privileged to have such a prestigious boxer like Glenn McCrory visit Sunderland Community Hub and paint an insightful picture about the values of what boxing can bring to individuals and also to the local community.

“The boxing club is ran by passionate firefighters from Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service – who set up the club using the motto creating champions in the ring and creating champions in life.  This is being embraced by the young people and their families as the club is going from strength the strength.

“The club is always on the lookout for new members to join, as most of the boxers will acknowledge, it provides them with invaluable life skills, targeted advice on health and wellbeing, and a channelled focus that can be used in so many different ways.

“In a society where anti-social behaviour can shine a bad light on to some groups of young people – we are proud of the way the Sunderland Community Hub helps to strengthen the community spirit in the area.”

Glenn McCrory of County Durham is one of the most recognisable and respected names in boxing.  His successful career and overall passion for the sport has also led him to other pursuits outside of the ring including being a top TV pundit, writer and filmmaker.

One of Glenn’s current projects is a play by local acclaimed playwright Ed Waugh entitled “Carrying David”.  Starring actor Micky Cochrane, the funny and dramatic play is adapted from McCrory’s autobiography of the same name.  It takes the audience on a journey from the streets of County Durham and the industrial North-East through to London and beyond; and tells the remarkable true story of Glenn’s heart-warming relationship with his brother David.

Both Micky Cochrane and Ed Waugh also accompanied Glenn during his visit to Sunderland Community Hub as they look to talk about how they’ve approached bringing the legendary boxer’s moving story to the stage.

Carrying David is touring North-East venues across the month of September.

The Sunderland Community Hub run sessions every Wednesday and Friday nights: Juniors – 6:30pm to 7:30pm and Seniors – 7:30pm to 8:30pm.

For further details please email SunderlandCommunity.Hub@twfire.gov.uk