Glenn McCrory: “Frampton pulled off a great win, and he really put himself up there in the superstar status!”

Former cruiserweight champion and current Sky Sports commentator, Glenn McCrory is a well respected boxing analyst. I recently had a chance to speak with Glenn and in part one of my interview I get his thoughts on UK’s Carl Frampton and his victory over Leo Santa Cruz. McCrory breaks down the fight and talks about why Frampton was successful. Additionally Glenn shares his thoughts on a potential Frampton-Selby fight and speaks on his upcoming book. Here is what Glenn McCrory had to say.

Robert Brown: Can you tell us about the book you currently released?

Glenn McCrory: I’ve got my autobiography, it’s called “Carrying David” which is a reference to my younger brother who was my inspiration for winning a world title. I had a younger brother who’s life was tough with a muscle-wasting disease and I used to carry him to school. The book tells of our life together and his shorter life but how he inspired me by his tremendous spirit when everybody else said I could not win the world title, and eventually I won one thanks to his help and his great character.

It’s been a long time since I won the world title but it also tells my life and my career outside of the ring in Sky TV, and various ups and downs along the way. Hopefully it’s a nice read, it’s “Carrying David.”

Robert Brown: What were your thoughts on the unbelievable war between Leo Santa Cruz and Carl Frampton?

Glenn McCrory: It was always going to be a tough and difficult test. Frampton was the underdog, but he’s mentally very tough. It’s not easy coming from a place like Tiger’s Bay, so you know he’s a tough guy, he’s been through a lot in Belfast, so I knew he had the strength of mind and spirit for the job.

Frampton boxed fantastically and did exactly what he had to do against he taller, longer ranged, good boxer who is a three weight world champion in Leo Santa Cruz. Frampton pulled off a great win, and he really put himself up there in the superstar status.

Robert Brown: Was the key for him when he hurt Santa Cruz with the big right hand in the second round? Was that the key to nullifying Santa Cruz’s punch output?

Glenn McCrory: Yeah I think that was very important, he had to let Santa Cruz know that he hits hard and get his respect. Santa Cruz, when he gets into a rhythm, he can throw hundreds of punches a round and he couldn’t against Frampton because he knew if he was made to miss, Frampton would hit him and hurt him. He obviously changed the style of Leo Santa Cruz.

It was fabulous the way that Carl moved, getting the right distance and being in and out of range against the taller man. Frampton would come back and land the jabs and combinations. It really was a tactical battle but yet a very determined and very strong fight for Carl Frampton. He’s made history by coming from Ireland and being the only boxer to win two world titles at different weights. He’s made history for himself and he’ll go on to more things than that. There are great fights out there for him; Lee Selby, Gary Russell, there’s some cracking matchup down the line.

Robert Brown: What do you think about a fight between Frampton and Lee Selby?

Glenn McCrory: I think that’s a fight we’d all like to see and it’s a fight that can be made. Barry McGuigan has worked with Eddie Hearn and we know that it’s a fight that they can make. I’m very interested to see them standing together, Selby is considerably taller but Frampton can handle that. It really is a great match up because Selby has great character, he’s from Wales and he’s tough as they come as well, but yet he’s a beautiful boxer. That fight everything there, it’s an all British fight to be a massive fight. Lets hope that one comes off.