Champion Joshua helps KO cancer
Fresh from his victory over Joseph Parker, Anthony Joshua is now master of all he surveys – the holder of no fewer than four world heavyweight title belts.
And tomorrow he throws his weight behind the battle against cancer through a charity auction organised by Telford boxing champion Richie Woodhall.
Richie, himself a former world super-middleweight championing, is auctioning a matching pair of gloves, one signed by Joshua and the other by former England captain turned boxer Rio Ferdinand.
Both will be sold at an auction at Halls in Shrewsbury tomorrow morning. The Joshua glove will raise funds for Shropshire Prostate Cancer Support Group, which will use the money to pay for life-saving tests to detect the disease at an early stage.
All proceeds from the Ferdinand glove will go to the Teenage Cancer Trust charity.
Richie is hoping that Joshua's victory over Parker, which means he now holds the IBF, WBA (Super), IBO and WBO titles, will make the Joshua glove an even more prized collectors' item.
He said both Joshua and Ferdinand were delighted to help, and believes the gloves will prove highly desirable whether they or purchased separately or as a pair.
Richie holds regular auctions to raise money for cancer charities in memory of his father Len, who died from prostate cancer in 2015.
“Prostate cancer is particularly close to my heart, because that is what my dad died from, and it means a lot to be able to help other people with the condition,” he said.
“Both Rio and Anthony are very supportive of what we are doing, they’re right behind it.”
The auction, at Halls in Bowmen Way, Battlefield, starts at 10am, with the Joshua glove at lot 100 and the Ferdinand glove lot 101.
If you are unable to bid in person, it is possible to bid online through the website the-saleroom.com/halls although you are advised to register today.
Alternatively, you can leave your maximum bid with the auctioneer by telephoning 01743 450700.
