Campaign Seeks First Black Statue in Manchester for Barred Boxer Len Johnson

Supporters advocating for a boxer to be recognized with Manchester’s inaugural statue dedicated to a black individual have stated that such an initiative would enable the city’s youth to “feel themselves reflected.” Len Johnson, an athlete active between 1920 and 1933, was considered among the top middleweight boxers of his era; however, racial discrimination prevented him from participating in elite contests. Darianne Brown, Johnson’s great-granddaughter and a participant in the statue campaign, expressed that it was “astounding to think” that Manchester currently lacks any statues commemorating black individuals. She further remarked that it would be “incredible if he could be the first.” Leonard Benker Johnson, the eldest among four siblings, was born on October 22, 1902, within Manchester’s Clayton district. His father, William, a merchant seaman, relocated to Manchester from Sierra Leone, whereas his mother, Margaret Maher, was a native Mancunian of Irish descent. Possessing exceptional boxing prowess, characterized by a refined left hand and an elusive defensive style that rendered him challenging to strike, Johnson’s significant breakthrough occurred in 1925. In that year, he overcame Roland Todd, the incumbent British Middleweight Champion, across two non-title contests. These victories should have automatically qualified him for a championship bout; however, the British Boxing Board of Control prohibited such a contest, asserting that it would violate Rule 24 of its regulations. This particular rule, which received endorsement in 1911 from the then-Home Secretary Winston Churchill and remained in effect under the board’s administration until 1948, stipulated that participants in title fights “needed to have been born of white parents.” Despite his substantial boxing abilities, which led him to achieve nearly 100 wins, including some against world champions, the aforementioned rule prevented him from ever competing for a championship belt. In a 1930 interview with the Daily Dispatch, conducted after his retirement, he declared himself “fed up with the whole business.” He stated, “I am barred from the Albert Hall, from the National Sporting Club and from all fights where this is big money.” He added, “The prejudice against colour has prevented me from getting a championship bout, although I consider I am well worthy of one.” He asserted that if a public vote were held “on the question of whether I should be allowed to take part in a championship bout, there would be an overwhelming majority in my favour.” He concluded, “I know in my heart that I shall never achieve those ambitions, so I am getting out of the game.” Johnson redirected his combative resolve from boxing to public life, becoming a member of the Communist Party, a trade unionist, and a local civil rights activist. He unsuccessfully sought election to Manchester City Council on six occasions and gained recognition as a community leader in Moss Side, where he often intervened in instances of racial discrimination. His reputation was such that he served as one of the local delegates at the significant Pan-African Congress, which convened in Manchester in 1945. Ms Brown stated that her great-grandfather, who passed away in 1974 at the age of 71, was not only a well-liked and esteemed sportsman but also “really used that for good.” She commented, “He could have just stopped and said ‘I’m not doing this any more, but he went further and created change’.” Mancunian actor Lamin Touray, who is participating in the statue campaign, emphasized that all residents of the city ought to be aware of Len Johnson’s legacy. He remarked, “I had a photo of Muhammad Ali above my bed from eight years old, but we had our very own Muhammad Ali this whole time in Manchester.” Touray noted that while Mr. Johnson’s narrative represents “a piece of black British history,” it simultaneously constitutes “also a shameful history about what the establishment did.” He asserted, “Len wasn’t just a boxer. He was a fighter outside of the ring politically, a massive fighter for civil rights.” He concluded, “Young people in Manchester should feel themselves reflected in the history books and feel inspired.” A spokesperson for Manchester City Council confirmed that the local authority endorsed the proposal for a statue to be erected in tribute to Len Johnson, though a specific site for its placement has not yet been finalized. Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has also lent his support to the initiative, stating his belief that the boxing legend’s story “absolutely needs to be told and celebrated.” For more content, listeners can access the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Story ideas can also be submitted to northwest.newsonline@bbc.co.uk and via Whatsapp at 0808 100 2230. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Information regarding the BBC’s approach to external linking is available.