JUNE 3, 1989: a date etched in the minds of sports fans throughout the North-East.

In the Lousia Centre, Stanley, the world’s media was focused on a live, televised boxing fight that was to make history.

Almost 30 years ago, Glenn McCrory faced Patrick Lumumba for the Cruiserweight world title.

McCrory, who lived in Stanley was aged 24 and the 5-1 underdog.

Lumumba’s camp were so confident of victory that the controversial American boxing promoter Don King was represented by his son on that balmy summer night.

Glenn’s rugged determination and the support of 1,500 North East fans chanting his name saw him upset the odds and become the first-ever world champion boxer from the North-East.

Micky Cochrane, the actor, who is to play the young McCrory in a one-man play about the fighter’s quest to become world champion, said: “Of course, spectators only see the glamorous side of victory.

“Behind the victory is a tremendous human interest story, namely David McCrory, Glenn’s terminally ill brother, who was Glenn’s inspiration when things turned sour in the years leading up to win the world title.”

From making his successful professional debut aged 19 in 1984 and being touted as the ‘White Bruno’, Glenn was lauded by Muhammad Ali as a future world champion.

Sadly, within two years the lad from Stanley became a no-hoper, a has-been.

Cochrane said: “Glenn was a naive, working class lad, ripped off at every stage in those early years.

“His management put him in a series of bruising fights that he was ill-prepared for and Glenn’s dream of being a professional boxer, never mind a world champion, lay in ruins.

“The person who inspired him throughout those desperate days was his adopted brother David.”

David was 17 months younger than Glenn and joined the McCrory “clan” of six siblings in 1972, aged six.

“David had a degenerative muscle wasting disease called Fridriech’s Ataxia which meant he struggled to breathe and walk.

“Glenn often carried his brother on his back, hence the title of this fantastic story about two brothers inspiring each other.”

Micky recently starred in the hit play The Great Joe Wilson, which was penned by Ed Waugh, the writer of Carrying David.

Cochrane added: “Ed has a wealth of experience writing about North East heroes and culture.

“He told me how Carrying David is the most dramatic thing he’s ever written. It’s very funny but also very emotional. Ed said he was in tears writing it.

“When I read the script I felt exactly the same. Glenn’s sense of humour is there throughout but it’s so emotional.

“Carrying David is about boxing but ultimately it’s a story about the unashamed love two brothers have for each other; one aiming to become a world boxing champion, the other terminally ill and fighting every day to stay alive.

“Rocky was a great film...but this “County Durham Rocky” story is even better...and true.”

Carrying David will tour the North-East next year plays Alun Armstrong Theatre, Stanley, on June 3, to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Glenn’s historic achievement.

McCrory, now 54, who worked as a television commentator after leaving the ring, said: “Initially I was going to play myself but it’s a one-man play. I could cope with the comedy aspects but the story is just too emotional.

“When Ed suggested Micky I was delighted. Apart from being a great actor, he’s a former boxer and an excellent stand-up comedian so he has all the attributes for the role.

“He even looks like me.

“It’s taken a long time to bring this project to fruition but I was always determined that when it happened it would be great theatre, and I can assure everyone this will be exactly that.”