GEORDIE David Pendleton has been allowed to train with the elite Cuban Olympic boxing squad in Havana. Pendleton is in Cuba for five weeks and has been given a unique opportunity to learn from the world’s best because of Glenn McCrory’s links with the island. McCrory has employed two Cuban coaches at his Northumbria club in Newcastle for the last year and he accompanied Pendleton to Havana. “David has already dropped four kilos because of the intense training,” said Glenn, freshly back from Havana. “He was working out at the Rafael Trejo gym in old Havana and has now linked up with their international squad. “We were received by both Jorge Guzman, who is No 2 in the world and Olympic boxing, and Jorge Pardo, the head of Cuban sport, as old friends. “They confirmed that they are happy to work with our team at Northumbria ABC and expected no problems with our coaching deal for next season. “They also requested some DVD footage of the facilities in Newcastle so it seems that Cuba’s interest in a 2012 Olympic training camp up here is growing. “We’re hoping that Pendleton’s training camp will help push him towards next year’s Olympics in Beijing even at this late stage. Remember he is a former ABA national champion and providing he shows the dedication to step up his career and stay focussed, I believe he can achieve an awful lot.” McCrory was accompanied to Havana by his resident senior coach at Newbiggin Hall Micky Duncan. --------------------------------------------------------- Toon date for Duran BOXING legend Roberto Duran is to kick-off a six-city tour of England here in Newcastle. Martyn Devlin, of Fighting Talk, is promoting the visit of Duran, the five-weight world champion who was the first fighter to beat Sugar Ray Leonard. Recently inducted into Boxing’s Hall of Fame, Duran will front a dinner at the Quayside Exchange on Friday, October 5. It will be his only North East date. “Duran is such a legend and there is such a huge demand to meet him, that I am bringing him back over here,” Devlin told me. “Naturally, as I am based on Tyneside, we’re kicking off the tour in Newcastle.” Tickets are available by phoning Martyn on (0191) 422 3816 or 07752 515 280. | 
