Boxing: McCrory back in the ring

(First Edition)

GLENN McCRORY, the former world cruiserweight champion, yesterday sealed a three-fight deal with the promoter, Frank Maloney, and will make a comeback later this month.

The former International Boxing Federation champion retired after losing his title in March 1990 to Jeff Lampkin, of the United States. McCrory returned as a heavyweight, but lost to Lennox Lewis 18 months ago in an attempt to win the British and European crowns and has not fought since.

The 28-year-old will fight a so-far unnamed American at the York Hall, Bethnal Green, on 31 March before challenging Carl Thompson for the British and World Boxing Council International titles on 28 April at the Albert Hall.

The final formalities for Lennox Lewis's WBC heavyweight title defence against Tony Tucker in Las Vegas on 8 May have been completed - right on deadline.

Tucker and his promoter, Don King, had until midnight - Mexico City time - to sign the fight contract or face being removed from the mandatory challenger's position, according to Lewis's manager, Maloney. They just managed it.

King got his way over the split of the pounds 9m-plus purse. Under normal WBC rules, Lewis was entitled to 80 per cent as a champion defending his crown in the challenger's country. But because of the 'unusual circumstances' of Lewis not actually winning the title in the ring, the champion has lost more than pounds 400,000 in a revised 75-25 share-out.

The unbeaten Leeds fighter, Michael Gale, will meet Canada's Brent Kosolofski for the vacant Commonwealth light-heavyweight title at Leeds Town Hall on 7 April. Gale will share top billing with another of Mickey Duff's unbeaten fighters, Henry Wharton, the British and Commonwealth super-middleweight champion, who will box the American Troy Watson in a non-title bout.