Gary Stretch

Gary Stretch (born 4 November 1965) is a British boxer, actor, model, producer, and screenwriter. During his boxing career, Stretch won 29 of his 31 fights, 20 of those by KO. He became the WBC International Super Welterweight Champion.

In his modelling career, Stretch modelled for brands including Calvin Klein and Versace. During his acting career, he starred in such films as The Heavy (directed by Marcus Warren) and Alexander (directed by Oliver Stone). He was also cast in the Shane Meadows film Dead Man’s Shoes as the small-time gang leader, Sonny, for which role he was nominated for a British Independent Film Award for Best Supporting Actor.

Early life Stretch was born in 1965 and brought up in the Haresfinch area of St Helens, Lancashire. His father was a plumber. He attended the town's Cowley High School.

Aged eight, Stretch was kicked out of school for fighting. A condition of returning was that he learn discipline and would have to go to the boxing gym three nights a week. For nine months he stood in the corner of the gym, never picking up a glove, until finally deciding to try the sport.

Career Boxing

A southpaw fighter, Stretch boxed most of his career as a light-middleweight, rising to become British champion in that division.

He won the WBC International Light Middleweight title, beating Ramon Angel Alegre at the London Arena on 14 February 1990, the fight billed as Valentine's Day Massacre. Stretch, aged 24, stopped the Argentine in the 6th round of a very one sided contest. Stretch relinquished the title due to a management dispute with Frank Warren and subsequently sat out his contract.

Stretch's return to the ring came in 1991 when he challenged Chris Eubank for the WBO world middleweight championship in London, in a fight billed as "Beauty V the Best". alongside fellow English actor Paddy Considine.

Stretch also starred in Freebird in 2008, directed by Jon Ivay. With Stretch appearing alongside Phil Daniels and Geoff Bell, the film followed three bikers across a drug-fueled ride in the Welsh countryside.

Personal life From 1998 to 2001, Stretch was married to actress Roselyn Sánchez.

Filmography Tis a Gift to Be Simple (1994) ... Perry Truman Final Combination (1994) ... Richard Welton Infidelity/Hard Fall (1997) ... Shane Business for Pleasure (1997) ... Rolf Shergar (1999) ... SAS Soldier Dead Dogs Lie (2001) ... Duck Final Combat (2003) ... Jaikra A Good Night to Die (2003) ... Ronnie Dead Man's Shoes (2004) ... Sonny Alexander (2004) ... Cleitus The King Maker (2005) ... Fernando De Gamma World Trade Center (2006) ... John's Paramedic The Commander: Windows of the Soul (2007) ... Jack Bannerman Afghan Knights (2007) ... Nash Tied in Knots (2008) ... Jay Freebird (2008) ... Fred Deadwater (2008) ... Colin Willets The Heavy (2010) ... Mitchell 'Boots' Mason Baseline (2010) ... Rob Mega Shark Versus Crocosaurus (2010) Yellow The Girl from the Naked Eye (2012) ... Frank The Pugilist's Son (short) (2012) ... Terry Hope Savages (2013) ... Bad Ass Biker Jurassic Attack (2013) ... Captain John Stakeley My Father Die (2016) ... Ivan