Sometimes the best things in life are not planned, they just happen.
That is certainly the case in point with Anth Ornsby, who is just weeks away from boxing at the 2019 Summer Rumble when he will make his second professional appearance.
The young Geordie said he was close to leaving the sport until he bumped into fight figure Steve Wraith while, on the subject of unplanned associations, he will have a certain Glenn McCrory in his corner at the Stadium of Light on Sunday, July 14.
“I was a bit sick of boxing when I met Steve and he asked if I’d thought about going pro,” Anth told punch-lines.
“I decided to give it a go and glad I did.
“I’m very excited for the Rumble – I went to watch last year’s show and it was brilliant.
“It’s a great place for North-East boxers to perform and can’t wait.”
Ornsby already has one win under his belt after a victory on his debut over Slovakia’s Rudolf Durica at Dunston last December.
Since then, the 20-year-old had another stroke of good fortune – to begin working with McCrory at the state-of-the-art Newcastle gym, O’Tooles.
Ornsby had been sparring with Glenn’s 21-year-old light-welterweight protege, Louis Isaacs, who has clocked up six straight wins as a professional.
“I then got the chance to work with Glenn, which was a dream come true,” added Anth, who is pictured to McCrory’s right with Isaacs on the other side of the former world cruiserweight champion .
“There is no-one better to work with and learn from.
“Glenn is not only a great coach, he’s a great man as well. He’s achieved so much in his career, but he’s just a normal, down-to-earth fella.
“O’Tooles is a fantastic gym to train and everything is going great.”
To find out more about the state-of-the-art gym O’Tooles click here.
There is a “special bond” between Glenn and Anth, a bond born out of the pain of the loss of a brother.
Glenn’s incredible story of becoming world champion has just been played out on stage throughout the North-East theatres in ‘Carrying David’ , the title of his autobiography in tribute to younger brother David, who died aged just 29.
Anth also lost his brother, Shay, and says, just as David was to Glenn, he is his inspiration.
“My brother‘s passing is my drive,” explained Anth. “When times are tough I know Shay’s there pushing me forward.”
It will all make for a poignant day at the Stadium of Light where Anth’s fans, friends and family will be out in force.
An electrical engineer for Houghton International, his employers and sponsors, have taken out two of Sunderland’s executive boxes for the afternoon. “I can’t thank everyone enough for their support,” added Anth. “I’m now just looking forward to getting in there to box.”
Words: Roy Kelly
