'Larry beat boxing legends - he deserves a statue'

The family of a heavyweight boxing champion say they hope their campaign to get a statue of him in Leicester will help secure recognition for his exploits in the ring.

Larry Gains won bouts against boxing greats Max Schmeling and Primo Carnera during a 146-fight career between 1923 and 1942.

And in 1931 he won the British Empire heavyweight title in front of 30,000 fans at Leicester Tigers' Welford Road stadium.

"His record shows he was one of the great fighters of his era," his great-grandson Michael Gains said.

"But despite that, not many people know what he achieved," he added.

"I never met him but I've heard all the stories from my dad.

"Larry faced discrimination and racism through his career.

"That included a colour bar that kept black fighters from competing for some world titles between 1911 and 1948.

"But he carried himself with dignity and became a respected figure, known for his resilience, sportsmanship, and gentlemanly nature.

"He never felt any bitterness about it."

Gains was born in Toronto, Canada, in 1900 but moved to England in 1923, making the journey across the Atlantic on a cattle ship.

He settled in Leicester in 1930 and trained at the now-demolished Jolly Angler pub in the city's Wharf Street.

"Larry made Leicester his second home," said Michael.

"He had three really big fights at Welford Road.

"During World War Two, Larry served in the British Army and was the president of the London Ex-Boxers Association from 1976 to 1983.

"And he was also a close friend of the renowned writer Ernest Hemingway.

"His legacy has been acknowledged in Canada, where he was honoured as a National Historic Person, but in Leicester his story is a bit of an unknown.

"We want to put that right."

Gains retired at the age of 40 with a record of 117 wins and 22 defeats under his belt - along with a handful of draws.

He was inducted into the British Boxing Hall of Fame in 2023.

Michael, from Cardiff, said he was in discussions with Leicester City Council about selecting an appropriate location for a planned 8ft (2.4m) bronze statue.

He said he had been in discussion with a prominent sculptor and he planned to establish a charity, the Gains Heritage Foundation, to help raise money towards the costs.

"It's going to take a lot of hard work, and we'll need to raise a lot of money but we are determined," he said.

A petition has been launched to support the campaign for a statue in Leicester.

A city council spokesperson said: "Larry Gains was a distinguished boxer and greatly admired by the people of Leicester, where he had made his second home.

"His story is an inspiring one that deserves to be shared, and that's why he features on one of our heritage panels, located on Wharf Street, near the site of the Jolly Angler pub where he trained.

"We have received a submission from Mr Gains for a statue to be located in the city, and are currently considering his proposal."

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