A plaque and painting of a man regarded as the world’s first black sporting superstar will be unveiled at a pub.
The permanent memorial for pioneering black boxer Bill Richmond will be housed at boxing pub Tom Cribb, in Panton Street, in the heart of Theatreland.
The portrait of Mr Richmond and a plaque summarising his amazing life and career will adorn the wall of the historic pub owned by Shepherd Neame brewery in recognition of Richmond’s position in history as the first black sportsman to achieve international fame and significance.
It will be unveiled by one of the direct descendants of the British soldier who rescued him from a life of slavery on August 26 and coincide with a new book on the boxer’s life, written by Luke G Williams and titled Richmond Unchained: The Biography of the World’s First Black Sporting Superstar.
He was born into slavery in 1763, before travelling to England in the 1770s thanks to the intervention of Earl Hugh Percy, a British soldier renowned for his humanitarianism, who ensured that Richmond received an education and was apprenticed to a cabinetmaker.
He became a professional boxer in his 40s, putting together an impressive record of 17 wins in 19 fights, and was a highly sought-after trainer and gymnastic instructor.
He became one of the most recognisable celebrities in Georgian Britain, mixing with the likes of William Hazlitt and Lord Byron, and was present at the coronation celebrations of King George IV in 1821.
The memorial will be unveiled at the West End pub, named after a boxer who befriended Mr Richmond, by Earl George Percy at 2pm.
Author Luke G Williams said: “The Tom Cribb pub is a perfect location for a permanent memorial to Bill Richmond. Cribb was a champion boxer and contemporary of Richmond who was once landlord of these premises.
“The two men were initially rivals but eventually became firm friends and spent many evenings conversing and socialising at the pub. In fact, Richmond spent the last evening of his life with Cribb in the pub.
“I am delighted that Shepherd Neame brewery have agreed that Bill’s amazing journey from slavery to sporting superstardom should be recognised with a permanent memorial. For it to be officially unveiled by George Percy, a direct descendant of the man whose kindness transformed Bill’s life, is incredibly exciting.”
