Boxing Hall of Fame in Birmingham

Britain's Boxing Hall of Fame is set to come to Birmingham next year in a plan which could leave a legacy for the sport in the Second City.

The BBHoF today vowed to have a museum up and running by the time they stage a week-long boxing festival in Birmingham next August.

Co-founders Ken Purchase and Marcus Anderson, who both have West Midlands links, are determined to establish the brand in the area.

Purchase, 58, is formerly of Fordhouses, Wolverhampton and now lives in Telford while business partner Anderson, 42, is Smethwick-born.

The two have the next 12 months planned out for the BBHoF's maiden voyage into Birmingham, starting with a museum that will stay in the city.

They are currently seeking a site but memorabilia shouldn't be a problem, through the 25 ambassadors that are putting their name to the BBHoF.

The likes of John H Stracey, Jane Couch MBE, Richie Woodhall, David Price, Matthew Hatton, Scott Quigg and Anthony Crolla are all on the list.

Anderson said: "It's all about boxing, we are looking to bring the sport back home and we have worked on this for a while.

"We have never had a Boxing Hall of Fame in Birmingham, people have played at it but it's never been done properly.

"We are looking for premises or land in Birmingham City Centre where we can erect a purpose-built museum.

"We have got a lot of memorabilia already and people are still giving us stuff, so by next summer we should be ready.

"It would be nice to have the museum open during the festival week and it will be staying in Birmingham.

"There will also be a grass roots foundation under our banner, which will be raising money for amateur boxing.

"We want people to know that Birmingham is the home of the British Boxing Hall of Fame."

The festival of boxing will take place in the last week of August, 2013, at the International Convention Centre.

It will run day and night from Monday onwards with exhibitions at the ICC before the evening's events begin.

Two awards dinners will take place, firstly a ceremony to honour active fighters on the Thursday.

Saturday's offering will see the formal induction of boxing figures into the Hall of Fame for the 'Class of 2012.'

The most ambitious attraction is Friday's 'Fight Night,' a fully professional show with a title fight at the top of the bill.

Anderson is hoping to open negotiations for a British, European or even world title fight to serve as the main event.

Promoters Ricky Hatton, Frank Warren, Frank Maloney and Eddie Hearn have all been invited to pitch for the spot.

For more information or to get involved with the BBHoF, go to www.britishboxinghalloffame.com.