Stonham Barns Park – one of Suffolk’s premier leisure, retail and holiday destinations – has this week played host to former British, Commonwealth and World Cruiserweight Champion Glenn McCrory.
The Tyneside boxing giant who fought some of the most famous boxing names, and then became a presenter providing commentary on the biggest fights, met leisure group Owner Alan Forward – a lifelong boxing fan – a few years ago. He has visited Stonham Barns Park many times and is now helping to develop a new sports bar that is being installed there in his name. The Glenn McCrory Sports Bar is due to be completed at the end of April and will not only form part of a new clubhouse facility for the holiday park but also be the setting for some celebrity sports events covering a multitude of sports including darts, football, rugby, cricket, horse racing, and motorsport. Plans are already in place to replicate some Las Vegas-style events as well as family activities too with tickets now available for an Evening With … World Heavyweight Boxing Giants Larry Holmes and Gerry Cooney.
Speaking about the new facility on his recent visit to Stonham Barns Park, Glenn McCrory said, ‘I have so much admiration for the work that has been done here at Stonham Barns Park to develop the venue into a location that brings pleasure to so many people. It’s a truly vibrant family destination and the new Glenn McCrory Sports Bar is yet another facility for visitors and the local community to enjoy. It is proposed that it will be a hub for sports enthusiasts and visitors of all ages and backgrounds, offering a place for relaxation, refreshment and that it will attract other sports personality engagement for visitors to experience – to include some special ‘guest nights’ throughout the year.’
‘It is such an honour to have this multi-sports bar dedicated to my sporting career. It’s very humbling and I am keen to support it in every way I can. It will be a place to watch some sporting highlights and reflect on the highs and lows of a variety of sports. If it encourages just one rising sports star to aim for the top because of a visit to the bar it will be well worth it!
Alan Forward added, ‘The new Glenn McCrory Sports Bar will be a focus for all things entertainment at Stonham Barns Park. We are so happy to have the backing of this great boxing hero who is all about giving back to the people who made him the star that he is today. He drew inspiration from his family when he was fighting his way to the top and he is still all about family values today. He’s a friend and ambassador for Stonham Barns Park and we are delighted to be working with him to launch this exciting concept.’
Glenn watched his first boxing fight at the age of 12. It was Mohammed Ali vs George Foreman – and he watched Mohammed Ali claim that he was going to win the fight before he stepped into the ring. This single match alone inspired Glenn to become a boxer. He turned professional at just 18 years old and went to his first pro fight in London. A Tyneside lad, he had never been to London and never seen a pro fight live – yet he found himself in the ring.
13 to 14 fights later and still undefeated – he kept pushing and fighting hard – he took a fight he shouldn’t have been in – was knocked out and his manager dropped him after putting him into fights he couldn’t win. Glenn got ill, went home, and lost weight during a short illness. Mohammed Ali said, ‘Mark my words’ – you’ll be world champion one day!’ Glenn realised he must have the talent to do it for him to say that – he was just in the wrong weight division. He got a new manager later and fought at a new weight. He won the commonwealth title and the British champion title. Evander Holyfield stepped down from the title at the time – and Glenn knew it was finally his time to go for the biggest title of them all – World Champion.
That legendary fight took place in Stanley, Co Durham, his hometown in front of thousands of local fans. He achieved the impossible winning the world title he had dreamed of from the first time he stepped into the ring. Throughout his boxing career, Glenn was sustained by the immense support from his family and love for his adopted brother David. David was not well; he was given a life expectancy of 16 but lived to 29 and was ringside that famous night when Glenn won the world title. He felt he won the title for David and for his family – as well as the people of Stanley. The 2019 theatre-production ‘Carrying David’ by Ed Waugh is based on Glenn’s boxing life – Glenn used to ‘carry’ David to school – and features Micky Cochrane in the lead role. It is hoped this production will also come to The Aspal Theatre at the venue at some point later in the year.
Stonham Barns Park is a bustling family complex offering accommodation, attractions and activities based in the heart of Suffolk, UK. Activities at the leisure, retail and holiday venue include The Suffolk Owl Sanctuary, The Bistro, The Golf Centre including Adventure Golf and FootGolf, The Teapot Pottery, holiday lodges, a caravan park, camping and glamping, Tumbledown indoor play barn and fishing lakes.
