Glenn McCrory: “Anthony Joshua is without a doubt the best thing I’ve seen in heavyweight boxing since Lennox Lewis”

I recently was afforded an opportunity to interview former IBF cruiserweight champion and Sky commentator, Glenn McCrory. During a career that spanned nine years, McCrory faced the likes of Jeff Lampkin and Lennox Lewis, before retiring and starting a successful career as a boxing analyst.

During my interview Glenn spoke on the recent upset that Tyson Fury pulled off against Wladimir Klitschko and discussed what the win means to the British boxing scene. McCrory also talked about the upcoming Lee vs. Saunders fight and who he is picking to win. Additionally, Glenn gave his thoughts on Crawford vs. Pacquiao, Khan-Brook and Khan against Pacquiao. Here is what Glenn McCrory had to say.

Robert Brown: What were your thoughts on the recent fight between Tyson Fury and Wladimir Klitschko?

Glenn McCrory: My thoughts on the fight were not terrific, it wasn’t the greatest fight ever but Tyson Fury did manage to nullify a great champion. Klitschko had been there for a decade, he’s ruled the roost, he’s been the big man. Tyson Fury just nullified him, totally took away everything that he had so you gotta say to Tyson Fury “well done, you did a great job.”

Robert Brown: Was the biggest surprise to you that Tyson Fury went out there and out boxed Klitschko?

Glenn McCrory: Yeah he outthought him, he did everything to totally nullify any of Klitschko’s good points. It wasn’t a great display from Tyson, it wasn’t the greatest fight ever but when you think about how to take the title away from Wladimir Klitschko, Tyson had the plan and he executed it fantastically. You can’t take the fact that he won emphatically away from him.

(Listen to the full interview here)

Robert Brown: In terms of the biggest wins in British history, where do you place this fight?

Glenn McCrory: It’s gotta be pretty near the top doesn’t it? Klitschko was on set to break Joe Louis’ record, this is a man who’s beaten Povetkin, Pulev, Jennings. He went through a decade of beating everybody they put in front of him and then big Tyson goes and upsets the whole odds and doesn’t make Klitschko fight at all and takes away a massive win for British boxing, giving us our twelfth world champ. We invented the game of pugilism and I think we’re well and truly on top of the boxing pile.

Robert Brown: What are your thoughts on the upcoming Andy Lee vs. Billy Joe Saunders bout?

Glenn McCrory: Another good fighter, Andy Lee, who finally got a world title after so much experience of being under the old master, Emanuel Steward, he’s now top of the pile. Billy Joe Saunders is a good up and coming fighter, another gipsy boy. Billy Joe is a lovely kid but I think Andy Lee has the experience to give him a boxing lesson.

Robert Brown: You’re tipping Andy Lee in that fight?

Glenn McCrory: Andy Lee, yes. I think Andy Lee is a terrific fighter and finally got his due rewards with that world title and I think he’ll keep it.

Robert Brown: Do you think he will win by points or will he land one of those big right hands?

Glenn McCrory: I think by points. Andy Lee can knock anybody out but Billy Joe Saunders is a great competitor, great fighter but I think this might be just a little bit fast for him. He can come again, he’s just a young man but I think Andy Lee has done terrifically well and learned everything he possibly could under the great Emanuel Steward and I think it’s Andy’s time.

Robert Brown: Manny Pacquiao last fight look like it’s going to be against either Terence Crawford or Amir Khan. What are your thoughts on either of those fights?

Glenn McCrory: If I was Manny Pacquiao I’d probably go for Amir Khan. I think Terence Crawford is probably at the top of the list of the “who needs him?” bunch. Khan’s a very dangerous good fighter and I think it’s a fantastic fight between Pacquiao and Khan.

For me a fight that is just a mouth watering fight is Amir Khan vs. Kell Brook and I just wonder why they won’t take on Kell Brook. Let’s find out who’s the best welterweight in England before we find out who is the best welterweight in the world. For me it’s just a fight that’s gotta be made, Keel Brook vs. Amir Khan.

Robert Brown: If Amir Khan fights Pacquiao, who would you be fancying in that fight?

Glenn McCrory: It’s very competitive, I don’t know what Pacquiao’s really got. Khan wasn’t so great in his last fight so it’s a tough one to pick a winner. I just really hope Khan changes his mind and doesn’t fight Pacquiao and gives British fans what they deserve and we get the fight with Kell Brook. He’s world class, there’s nothing that should stop that fight, that fight needs to happen. We made Quigg vs. Frampton, we need to make Brook-Khan, that fight better happen.

Robert Brown: Would the atmosphere of that fight top Froch vs. Groves?

Glenn McCrory: Yeah, I think it would probably top that to be honest because Groves wasn’t quite as big a name as Kell or Khan. I think it would top that.

Robert Brown: How good do you think Britain’s Anthony Joshua is?

Glenn McCrory: He’s good enough to win a heavyweight championship of the world tomorrow. He is without a doubt the best thing I’ve seen in heavyweight boxing since Lennox Lewis.

Robert Brown: Do you think he beats Tyson Fury?

Glenn McCrory: Yes, one hundred percent. He is just a man in the box waiting for his shot to be heavyweight champion of the world. Now that the Klitschko throne has been overthrown, now it’s AJ time.