How Joshua's gloves will save lives

Telford-based Richie, who holds regular charity auctions in memory of his father Len, has enrolled the support of sporting superstars Anthony Joshua and Rio Ferdinand for his next auction in Shrewsbury on Wednesday.

This time he will be auctioning two identical signed boxing gloves to raise money for two cancer charities.

The one glove, signed by former England football captain Ferdinand, who Richie is coaching to become a boxer, will be sold in aid of the Teenage Cancer Trust. But proceeds from the other glove, signed by world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua – who will tonight lay his three world titles on the line when he takes on WBO title holder Joseph Parker – will go to a charity particularly close to his heart – Shropshire Prostate Cancer Support Group.

Richie's father Len, who was well known as a coach on the Midlands boxing circuit, died from prostate cancer in 2015.

The money will be used to pay for prostate-cancer tests, such as the one which last year saved the life of Harold Taylor from Coalbrookdale.

The 75-year-old was diagnosed with prostate cancer after attending an event at Jubilee House in Madeley, which Richie had promoted. He is now in recovery after a course of radiotherapy.

Ian Bolingbroke, treasurer of Shropshire Prostate Cancer Support Group, said the organisation regularly paid for events where men were tested for the disease.

He said the money raised from the auction could potentially save lives.

"The tests only cost about £18 each, so any funds that are raised from the auction will make a big difference," he says.

Ian is only too well aware of the importance of testing, having himself being diagnosed following a test in 2009.

"In my case it was spotted early before it had spread, and I was able to be treated with keyhole surgery," he said.

Richie, who last week marked the 20th anniversary of winning the super-middleweight world title in a fight with Thulani "Sugar Boy" Malinga at Telford Ice Rink, said he was delighted to be able to help two charities at once this time, and said both sportsmen were right behind them.

“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 will be held at Halls auctioneers in Bowmen Way, Shrewsbury, at 10am on Wednesday.

The gloves can be viewed all day tomorrow, or from 9am on the day of the sale.

If you can’t make the auction in person it is possible to either bid online, or lodge a maximum bid with the auctioneer. To bid online, you will need to register on the-saleroom.com/halls before the start of the auction. To place a maximum bid with the auctioneer, call 01743 450700.