Early professional career

McCrory was born in Annfield Plain, County Durham, England. He made his professional debut in February 1984, scoring a 1st round knock out against Barry Ellis. Over the next 15 months he fought a further 12 times, winning on each occasion before suffering his first defeat against John Westgarth in September 1985. The defeat was to be the first in a series of losses for McCrory as he went on to lose a further four fights out of his next five. In November 1986 this run came to an end when a visit to Louisville, Kentucky saw him get back to winning ways against the inexperienced Joe Adams.

British and Commonwealth champion

The Adams win provided the springboard for a run of form which would take him first to the Commonwealth cruiserweight title and then to the British. Four straight victories set him up for a shot at Zambian Chisanda Mutti, the reigning Commonwealth champion, in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear on 4 September 1987. The fight went the distance with McCrory picking up a points win. In January 1988 he defended his title for the first time and picked up the British belt with a win over Tee Jay in Wandsworth. A further defence of both titles occurred in April 1988 when he returned to Gateshead to defeat challenger Lou Gent.

World Champion

Three more wins over journeymen opponents followed the Gent victory before, in June 1989, McCrory challenged Patrick Lumumba for the vacant IBF cruiserweight title, winning the belt via a unanimous points decision. He made one defence of the belt against Siza Makathini in October 1989 before losing it to American Jeff Lampkin in March 1990.

Further challenges

Following the Lampkin defeat, McCrory moved up to heavyweight and in September 1991 lost in a challenge to future world champion Lennox Lewis, failing in his bid to win Lewis's British and European titles. Two victories and a draw against journeymen followed the Lewis defeat before a trip to Moscow in July 1993 resulted in an unsuccessful attempt to win back his IBF belt, losing over 12 rounds to reigning champion Alfred Cole. The fight was to prove his last as a professional as McCrory retired from the sport with a record of won 30, lost 8, drawn 1.

Post-boxing career

Since retirement, McCrory has become a television commentator and occasional actor, employed by Sky Television as the long time sidekick of Ian Darke. He has also made occasional appearances as an actor on television and on stage.

McCrory gained a professional trainers license and opened a gym in the Newbiggin area. Wider ambitions for the gym included McCrory's wish for it to be used as a possible training camp for the Team GB boxers before the 2012 Summer Olympics.

Professional boxing record

30 Wins (12 knockouts, 18 decisions), 8 Losses (5 knockouts, 3 decisions), 1 Draw
Result	Record	Opponent	Type	Round	Date	Location	Notes
Loss		Alfred Cole	UD	12	16 July 1993	CSKA Moscow, Moscow, Russia
Win		Mark "The Storm" Young	UD	10	6 May 1993	Riviera Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win		Ric "The Bomber" Lainhart	TKO	2	20 January 1993	Avoriaz, France
Draw		Mohamed Bouchiche	PTS	8	26 September 1992	Paris, France
Loss		Lennox Lewis	KO	2	30 September 1991	Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, London, United Kingdom
Win		Terry "Strong Arm" Armstrong	KO	2	16 February 1991	Pavilion, Thornaby, United Kingdom
Loss		Jeff Lampkin	KO	3	22 March 1990	Leisure centre, Gateshead, United Kingdom
Win		Siza Makathini	KO	11	21 October 1989	Eston Sports Academy, Middlesbrough, United Kingdom
Win		Patrick "Killer" Lumumba	UD	12	3 June 1989	Louisa Centre, Stanley, County Durham, United Kingdom
Win		Steve Mormino	PTS	10	28 February 1989	Marton Country Club, Marton, United Kingdom
Win		Lorenzo Boyd	KO	2	15 November 1988	Metairie Landmark Hotel, Metairie, Louisiana, United States
Win		Ron Lee Warrior	TKO	5	1 November 1988	Central Plaza Hotel, Oklahoma City, United States
Win		Lou Gent	TKO	8	22 April 1988	Leisure centre, Gateshead, United Kingdom
Win		Tee Jay	PTS	12	21 January 1988	Latchmere Leisure Centre, Wandsworth, England, United Kingdom
Win		Chisanda Mutti	PTS	12	4 September 1987	Leisure centre, Gateshead, United Kingdom
Win		Andy Straughn	TKO	10	31 March 1987	Civic Sports Centre, Oldham, Greater Manchester, United Kingdom
Win		Barry Ellis	PTS	8	18 February 1987	West Hotel, Fulham, Fulham, England, United Kingdom
Win		Danny Lawford	PTS	8	5 February 1987	Mayfair Suite, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
Win		Calvin Sherman	KO	1	8 January 1987	Marriott Hotel, Houston, Texas, United States
Win		Joe "Sam" Adams	PTS	6	25 November 1986	Louisville, Kentucky, United States
Loss		Hughroy Currie	KO	2	7 October 1986	Civic Sports Centre, Oldham, Greater Manchester, United Kingdom
Loss		Dave Garside	TKO	7	17 June 1986	Winter Gardens, Blackpool, Blackpool, United Kingdom
Loss		Anders Eklund	UD	8	18 April 1986	Randers Hallen, Randers, Denmark
Loss		Rudi Pika	PTS	8	9 April 1986	Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, London, United Kingdom
Win		Roy Skeldon	PTS	8	10 December 1985	Leisure centre, Gateshead, United Kingdom
Loss		John Westgarth	KO	4	3 September 1985	Leisure centre, Gateshead, United Kingdom
Win		Alfonso Forbes	KO	1	28 May 1985	Alexandra Pavilion, Muswell Hill, England, United Kingdom
Win		George Carmen	PTS	8	27 March 1985	Leisure centre, Gateshead, United Kingdom
Win		Alex Williamson	PTS	8	20 February 1985	Alexandra Palace, Wood Green, England, United Kingdom
Win		Nate "Dog" Robinson	TKO	2	19 January 1985	National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham, West Midlands, United Kingdom
Win		"Smokin" Mike Perkins	PTS	8	24 November 1984	Leisure centre, Gateshead, United Kingdom
Win		Tony Velasco	PTS	8	27 October 1984	Stormont Maine Club, Gateshead, United Kingdom
Win		Andrew Gerrard	PTS	8	6 September 1984	Federation Brewery, Gateshead, United Kingdom
Win		Andrew Gerrard	PTS	6	13 June 1984	Afan Lido, Port Talbot, United Kingdom
Win		Frank "MVP" Robinson	TKO	4	9 May 1984	Marriott Hotel, Mayfair, London, United Kingdom
Win		Frank "MVP" Robinson	PTS	6	30 April 1984	Grosvenor House, Mayfair, London, United Kingdom
Win		Steve Abadom	PTS	6	21 March 1984	Marriott Hotel, Mayfair, London, United Kingdom
Win		Denroy Bryan	PTS	8	22 February 1984	Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, London, United Kingdom
Win		Barry Ellis	KO	1	6 February 1984	Marriott Hotel, Mayfair, London, United Kingdom

Preceded by Evander Holyfield Vacates	IBF Cruiserweight Champion 3 June 1989 - 22 Mar 1990	Succeeded by Jeff Lampkin
Preceded by Chisanda Mutti	Commonwealth Cruiserweight Champion 4 September 1987 - 19 April 1989 (Vacated)	Succeeded by Apollo Sweet

[ Source: Wikipedia ]