Boxer · Activist · Mancunian
Len Johnson · 1930
"The prejudice against colour has prevented me from getting a championship bout — I know in my heart I shall never achieve those ambitions."
from 135 fights
allowed
colour bar stood
Three chapters · One legacy
Know his name
Len's story
From Clayton to the boxing booths, to founding Manchester's civil rights movement. The full biography of Britain's uncrowned champion.
Read more → 02 The tributeThe statue
Sculptor Taslim Martin is bringing Len home to Manchester city centre — a permanent meeting point and place of education.
See the design → 03 The missionThe campaign
How we're rewriting Len back into Manchester's story — through events, education, and the community he served.
Get involved →The statue · Manchester city centre
Bring Lenhome.
Sculptor Taslim Martin has been commissioned to create a life-size bronze of Len for Manchester city centre — a permanent meeting point and place of education for the city he served. We're raising the funds to make it happen.
Backed by champions
In Len's corner
From world champions to civic leaders, the campaign is supported by those who recognise what Len meant — and means — to Manchester and to boxing.
Watch
Discover Len's story
Hear from the campaign about why Len's story matters — and why Manchester owes him a statue.
Join the movement