Boxing legends and celebs are set to take part in a charity football match as part of the bid to build a statue commemorating a legendary Manchester fighter denied a title due to a 'colour ban.'
Former world champions Ricky Hatton, Anthony Crolla and Carl Frampton, are set to line up for a celebrity team. Love Island winner Kai Fagan, as well as actors from Coronation Street, Hollyoaks, Waterloo Road and Andy Burnham are all set to lace up their boots.
The stars, who will play as ‘Len Johnson FC’, will take on a team of FC United legends at their Broadhurst Park ground in Moston to raise money for a statue of him.
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Len, who was born in 1902 in Clayton to a seaman from Sierra Leone and an Irish mother, went on to become a hugely successful boxer in the 1920s and thirties boasting a record of 92 wins out of 135 fights as he beat the best of his generation.
However, he was unable to compete for a British title due to the government backed ‘colour bar’ which meant British boxers could only compete for titles if they had two white parents.
He also went on to become a prominent he became a prominent anti-racism activist. His story resurfaced in recent years due to the Black Lives Matter campaign, and a campaign sprung up to build a statue of him in Manchester city centre.
It has been supported by a host of household names in the sport including Anthony Joshua, Tony Bellew, Amir Khan as well as Hatton, Crolla and Frampton.
Councillors and Greater Manchester's Mayor Andy Burnham have also thrown their weight behind it. Ahead of the game next month, Mr Burnham said: “It’s critical that the city tells Len’s story because Len’s story is our story but it’s also the country’s story.
“What he went through, to challenge discrimination. It’s a bit wrong that we’ve not told his story before, but we finally are doing that and that’s fantastic.
“I just think he’s an inspiration in terms of having the courage to fight because that’s what the city’s all about isn’t it? Having that ability to stand up to injustice, to take it all away. Just a complete legend.”
Organiser, and one of the figureheads of the statue campaign Lamin Touray said: “Muhammad Ali has been an idol of mine for as long as I can remember but we had our very own boxing legend right here in Manchester this whole time!
"The Len Johnson story is remarkable he was a true fighter both in the ring and outside of it winning 93 out of 135 professional fights is unbelievable.
"I believe the Len Johnson story has been kept from us purposely and I want to do everything I can to make Len a household name in Manchester and eventually the UK. I’m unbelievably excited for this charity match and for more people to hear and celebrate this true Mancunian legend. "
Carl Frampton said: “It’s abhorrent that a man couldn’t fight for the British title simply because of the colour of his skin. Thankfully we have moved on and our world and society are in a better position than it was whilst Len Johnson was boxing.”
FC United said they were 'incredibly proud' to be hosting the event. "Len’s story, both in the ring and out, fits with our values as a club born out of protest and defiance to fight back" they said.
The FC United legends vs Len Johnson FC will take place on Saturday, May 27 at 2pm. Tickets are £15 for Adults / £12 for FC United Members or £5 for Juniors / £3 for FC United Members. For more information or to purchase tickets click here.
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