Now Gary fights with a sword and spear (From Warrington Guardian)

Now Gary fights with a sword and spear

FORMER boxing champion turned actor, Gary Stretch, is battling his way to big screen stardom later this year alongside Hollywood's biggest names in Oliver Stone's new blockbuster Alexander.

But Gary's unlaced his boxing gloves in favour of a sword and spear as he takes a leading role in this much-awaited movie predicted to rival Troy for cinema smash of the year.

Stretch, 36, ranks among a stellar cast that includes big names like Colin Farrell, Anthony Hopkins, Angelina Jolie and Val Kilmer in Stone's sweeping historical saga that charts the life and legend of Macedonian king Alexander the Great, one of the mightiest figures in world history.

The former British lightweight champion who retired from boxing after being defeated in a WBO middleweight championship bout by Chris Eubank in 1991, landed the role of Cleitus, companion of the relentless conqueror Alexander, played by Irish superstar Colin Farrell.

Dad, Ron Stretch, 69, said: "Gary landed the part simply because he was the right type of bloke. He's done about seven or eight films, is filming in Thailand at the moment, and has done quite a lot in America.

"When he packed in boxing he went out to Los Angeles and he's been doing it ever since. He went to acting school in Los Angeles for about eight years - so he knows what it is all about."

When he is not filming on location, Stretch is based at either in London or Los Angeles, but he does get back to his hometown when he has the chance.

He became good friends with co-star, Farrell during filming of the epic in Morocco and at London's Pinewood studio.

Ron added: "Gary was up here at Christmas and he took me down to Pinewood Studios when they were filming. He got on very well with Colin Farrell and introduced me to him."

Alexander is due to premiere in the US in November and in the UK in January 2005.