By James Slater: Currently doing the rounds on a whole host of boxing web sites, is the story that says former world champions Glenn McCrory and Johnny Nelson – now both retired and working for Sky Sports as pundits – are both set to return to the ring on the same night. The “news” article, that has been picked up by Fightnews.com as well as many other well known sites, says McCrory, the former IBF cruiserweight champ, has been training in Philadelphia and that Nelson, the former long-reigning WBO cruiserweight champ, has also been working out. Both men, now well into their forties, are allegedly set to “fly the flag for Britain in the Prizefighter international event on May 7th.”
Of course, today is April 1st; April Fool’s Day, and it’s almost definite that whoever it is who is responsible for putting out the news release is having a laugh. For even though we live in an age where the sight of ageing, former greats returning to the ring is commonplace, both Nelson and McCrory are known to be level-headed guys.
Imagine the stick web sites would get, however, if they chose to ignore this “exclusive” and it turned out to be true!
For what it’s worth, little-known trainer Frank Akers, who “has been working with McCrory,” had the following things to say:
“It may have been a while since Glen was in the ring, but the fire is still burning inside him. Make no mistake – The Gentleman is still in fine shape and there’s no reason why he can’t claim the trophy.”
Eddie Hearn, the promoter of “Prizefighter: The International Heavyweights” went further, barely containing his laughter no doubt.
“This could be the start of some of Britain’s greats coming out of retirement,“ Hearn said. “Age ain’t nothing but a number as they say and after word got out that McCrory and Nelson are coming back, Jim Watt was asking when the next lightweight instalment will be.”
Watt, now in his sixties, is the former WBC light-weight champ, of course. Hearn and co are winding us up. The sad thing is, some people appear to have swallowed what they had to say!
Happy April Fool’s Day, Eastside Boxing readers!