'Larry Gains defeated some of boxing's legends - he deserves a statue'
The family of a heavyweight boxing champion say they hope their campaign to get a statue of him in Leicester will help secure recognition for his exploits in the ring.Larry Gains won bouts against boxing greats Max Schmeling and Primo Carnera during a 146-fight career between 1923 and 1942.And in 1931 he won the British Empire heavyweight title in front of 30,000 fans at Leicester Tigers' Welford Road stadium."His record shows he was one of the great fighters of his era," his great-grandson Michael Gains said.
"But despite that, not many people know what he achieved," he added."I never met him but I've heard all the stories from my dad."Larry faced discrimination and racism through his career."That included a colour bar that kept black fighters from competing for some world titles between 1911 and 1948."But he carried himself with dignity and became a respected figure, known for his resilience, sportsmanship, and gentlemanly nature."He never felt any bitterness about it."
Gains was born in Toronto, Canada, in 1900 but moved to England in 1923, making the journey across the Atlantic on a cattle ship.He settled in Leicester in 1930 and trained at the now-demolished Jolly Angler pub in the city's Wharf Street."Larry made Leicester his second home," said Michael."He had three really big fights at Welford Road."During World War Two, Larry served in the British Army and was the president of the London Ex-Boxers Association from 1976 to 1983. "And he was also a close friend of the renowned writer Ernest Hemingway."His legacy has been acknowledged in Canada, where he was honoured as a National Historic Person, but in Leicester his story is a bit of an unknown."We want to put that right."Gains retired at the age of 40 with a record of 117 wins and 22 defeats under his belt - along with a handful of draws.He was inducted into the British Boxing Hall of Fame in 2023.
Michael, from Cardiff, said he was in discussions with Leicester City Council about selecting an appropriate location for a planned 8ft (2.4m) bronze statue.He said he had been in discussion with a prominent sculptor and he planned to establish a charity, the Gains Heritage Foundation, to help raise money towards the costs. "It's going to take a lot of hard work, and we'll need to raise a lot of money but we are determined," he said.A petition has been launched to support the campaign for a statue in Leicester.A city council spokesperson said: "Larry Gains was a distinguished boxer and greatly admired by the people of Leicester, where he had made his second home. "His story is an inspiring one that deserves to be shared, and that's why he features on one of our heritage panels, located on Wharf Street, near the site of the Jolly Angler pub where he trained."We have received a submission from Mr Gains for a statue to be located in the city, and are currently considering his proposal."
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BBC News
19 hours ago
- BBC News
The new Tuilagi? Sale's Ma'asi-White on following his idol
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Telegraph
21 hours ago
- Telegraph
How ruthless Michael Cheika transformed Leicester in less than a season
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Of course, the Tigers have won nothing yet. And a club of such stature would never admit that anything other than silverware in the cabinet would rank as a success. But when you compare eighth with second, with an attendance of more than 20,000 expected at Welford Road on Saturday, it would be unfair to judge Cheika's sole season in the East Midlands as anything other than triumphant no matter the result against Sale. The Australian, from the pits of panic, has put the club back on the straight and narrow. Cheika targets slipping standards Cheika was announced as the replacement for his compatriot, McKellar, in late June last year after a season in which the Tigers finished eighth in the Premiership table. McKellar had been hamstrung by the lack of an attack coach but his services were dispensed with after Leicester's standards had slipped. According to captain Julián Montoya, it was standards and mentality which Cheika looked to address from the off. 'The relationship he has with the players, how much he cares about it,' says Montoya, who was coached by Cheika during the Australian's stint as Argentina coach between 2022 and 2023. 'His training is unbelievable. He has a lot of experience; the standards he's brought, the mentality he's brought. He is one of the best coaches in the world and we are very lucky to have been coached by him. 'But I couldn't just say one thing. He's a brilliant, world-class coach – and a brilliant guy.' Cheika himself added: 'From the very start, we needed to re-establish the way things were done – from a preparation point of view and, maybe, the expectations, I suppose.' The emphasis on standards and expectations worked, as Leicester won five of their opening six league matches under Cheika, including a dramatic last-play triumph over Exeter on the opening Premiership weekend – a win which also led to the 58-year-old receiving a ban for some verbal wrangling with the independent match-day doctor. Reffell's Winning Try (v Exeter Chiefs) — Leicester Tigers (@LeicesterTigers) October 1, 2024 It was all looking tickety-boo for Leicester under Cheika. The Australian had redeveloped a toughness and stubbornness – that indefinable quality of being difficult to beat – in his side that the Tigers had been missing since the days of Steve Borthwick and Richard Wigglesworth. Cheika was trusting his instincts and embracing the potential of youth – Joe Heyes, Jack van Poortvliet, Joe Woodward and Emeka Ilione have all either nailed down starting spots or emerged as Test-class players this season – while the addition of Peter Hewat as attack coach was proving a shrewd acquisition by the Tigers. Leicester's attacking play, at times, has been dashing; and it is no coincidence that Ollie Hassell-Collins finished as joint top try-scorer in the Premiership. But then came two sobering defeats. Bad defeats threaten to derail season The first by Bristol at home, where the Tigers shipped 54 points at Welford Road – and 40 in the first half. Less than a month later came the most chastening of all, as Leicester were obliterated 80-12 by Toulouse in the south of France. Cheika stopped short of describing that match as a turning point in the season, but there was a 'certain reckoning' about it. 'For myself, you cannot go past the Toulouse game,' Cheika said. ''All right, there are some things which I really need to attend to here.' For myself as well – as a coach. That hadn't happened to me before, so I wanted to take something from it. I made some adjustments there but it is a building process along the way, about laying down foundations which will help us when we're under the pump to get us through. 'It felt like it was something which gave me insight into things which I really needed to concentrate on in the short term.' What Cheika concentrated on was defence, with the Australian making an immediate change to his coaching team. Matt Everard, the club's popular former flanker and now head coach of newly rebooted Worcester, was replaced by David Kidwell, who coached the Pumas' defence under Cheika. The move came as a prime example of Cheika identifying something which was not to his liking and, for better or worse, acting ruthlessly to make sure it was. There was also the mid-season arrival of Newcastle flyer Adam Radwan, who has been a revelation since making his Tigers debut in January. Eight tries in eight games 🔥 Adam Radwan cannot stop scoring 💨 #GallagherPrem | #LEIvSAL — Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) May 9, 2025 Ruthless mid-season changes pay-off Cheika's changes led to a reaction from the players. No one – surely not even Cheika himself – saw the 33-0 victory at Northampton at the end of March coming. Then came the most impressive three-match stint of Cheika's tenure to date, as Leicester vanquished Bristol at Ashton Gate – avenging their December shellacking – demolished Harlequins at Welford Road, and overcame a George Ford-inspired Sale in one of the Premiership games of the season so far. There was also the public reveal of Cheika, ever the motivator, ever the savant, using a club flag as a symbolic semaphore to motivate his troops. That @LeicesterTigers mystery flag 🚩 @Sarraelgan does her best but Head Coach Michael Cheika is giving nothing away… 🤔 — Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) April 20, 2025 It worked. Leicester's purple patch meant that, come the final day and the hosting of Newcastle, the Tigers virtually had a home semi-final sewn up with a match to spare. That, allied to the announcement that former lock Geoff Parling will return to the club as head coach next season, and the probable arrival of an international fly-half, and a wave of optimism engulfed Welford Road, after a season in which the Tigers suffered one of their darkest ever on-field days. Despite the turnaround and adulation from fans, Cheika would not entertain any chatter about this season having already been a success or, even, of leaving a legacy at Welford Road. 'One year is not enough to leave any type of legacy whatsoever,' Cheika said. 'The relationships that I've been able to build between players, fans and the club has been respectful and enjoyable. 'I'd like the fans to think that I was one of them – even if it was just for one year. That's not easy because I have been the enemy here before – [from an] international and club point of view. 'The obvious is to try and win that trophy. We have to try and do every thing we can to do that – that's the best thing we can do to build the future of the club. Play well, one step at a time, this weekend – that's it, it's pretty much a final there and then.' Cheika might not believe he has done enough to earn a Leicester legacy, but two matches will be the difference between him either perhaps being proven right, or him having no choice in the matter at all.
Wales Online
a day ago
- Wales Online
Today's rugby news as English side ask for Biggar's number and exiting Wales coach wanted by giants
Today's rugby news as English side ask for Biggar's number and exiting Wales coach wanted by giants The latest rugby news from Wales and around the world Mike Forshaw is reportedly wanted by Leicester Tigers (Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency Ltd ) Here are your rugby morning headlines for Thursday, June 5. Premiership side query about Biggar Premiership side Newcastle sought out Dan Biggar's contact details upon hearing news that he won't be renewing his contract at Toulon beyond this season. The Wales legend announced his intention to retire after his stint in France came to an end, however according to the Daily Mail, Newcastle director of rugby Steve Diamond was keen to test his resolve. They report that Diamond asked for the fly-half's number, but that the 35-year-old's mind had been made up and he would stick with his decision of hanging up the boots. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. The 112-cap Wales international has recently moved into media and punditry work, having regular columns with the Mail and also appearing on the Rugby Pod frequently. However, the former Ospreys and Lions star is looking to move into coaching after quitting playing. "I would love to do coaching and the media route, for anyone who does media, is the easier route than coaching. You're sitting there watching it with cameras and slo-mo; since I've retired I've never made a mistake for Wales! You become the perfect player, you say 'I wouldn't have done that, or that'," he told the BBC. Article continues below "So I'm not saying for one minute it's the easier route, I've got so much time for the coaches and things. But what I don't want to give after 18-19 years in the game, is I don't want to be giving up the time that coaches in the professional game - particularly at club level - have to give. "If you're a player you switch off when you get in your car and go home for the night. Coaches don't do that, coaches are there every weekend, every night on the laptop. If someone said to me you could coach from eight o'clock in the morning until three o'clock in the afternoon Monday to Friday I'd probably snap your hand off, but I know that just isn't good enough to get it done to a level I wanted, and it's just not achievable in the modern day. "I'd love to be able to help out in some way, in terms of whether it's a consultancy role a couple of days a week or whatever, but the full-time coaching is probably a little bit beyond what I'm prepared to give from a time point of view." Leicester want Forshaw New Leicester Tigers boss Geoff Parling is eyeing up Mike Forshaw to become his new defence coach at Welford Road. That's also according to the Mail, who report that Forshaw is in the running after Matt Everard left to join phoenix club Worcester. Forshaw was Wales' defence coach under Warren Gatland and stayed as part of Matt Sherratt's interim team for the second half of the Six Nations after the New Zealander left mid-campaign. Forshaw was hired by Gatland in 2023, however his Wales contract is up this summer and he has not been selected as part of Sherratt's coaching ticket for the tour to Japan later this month. It means the coach's long-term future is up in the air, however Premiership giants Leicester could now be set to offer him a fresh start in the Midlands. Listen to the latest episode of The Welsh Rugby Podcast below: Dragons tie down exciting Welsh talent Promising young prop Jordan Morris has committed his future to the Dragons by signing a new contract. The 21-year-old former Wales Under-20 international has impressed during his time in the Dragons Academy and has also represented Pontypool RFC. Known for his powerful ball-carrying ability, Morris originally played in the back row and made headlines early in his career by scoring a remarkable 27 tries in 20 games for Pontypool Schools — breaking a record previously held by Wales international Taulupe Faletau. A product of Croesyceiliog RFC, Morris joins fellow academy players Evan Minto, Nick Thomas, Harry Rees-Weldon, Logan Franklin and new recruits Codi Purnell and James Talamai in signing Senior Academy terms for the 2025/26 season. 'I've re-signed with Dragons as I feel it's the best place for me to continue my development into professional rugby,' said Morris. 'After missing most of the season due to injury, I'm eager to get back on the pitch, make an impact and continue growing as a player. 'I'm looking forward to continuing to work with forwards coach Sam Hobbs, who I've worked with previously at Wales Under-20s. I've also been working closely with Ceri Jones as I recover from injury and will continue to do so in the Senior Rugby Core (SRC) next season.' Dragons Academy manager Lewis Roberts praised Morris's potential. He said: 'Jordan is a talented rugby player with huge athletic potential, and we look forward to continuing to support his development. It's been a difficult season due to injury, but he has a bright future and we're excited to see him back in action in 2025/26.' Hobbs added: 'Jordan had an impressive Under-20s campaign last year, with standout performances in the Six Nations. As a ball-carrying front-five player, he wins collisions on both sides of the ball. Athletes like him are rare, and we're looking forward to seeing him gain experience and push through the senior ranks.' Ireland name new captain for summer tour By Press Association Munster scrum-half Craig Casey will captain an Ireland squad containing 11 uncapped players for their summer tour to Georgia and Portugal. Casey will become the 112th man to lead the national team and takes over from Caelan Doris, who was a contender to skipper the British and Irish Lions this summer until being ruled out by a shoulder injury. The 26-year-old has accumulated 18 caps since making his debut against Italy in 2021. Interim head coach Paul O'Connell said: 'I would like to congratulate Craig on his selection as captain. 'He's a real leader with a strong personality. It's a huge personal honour for him and an opportunity that I know he will relish.' Tom Ahern, Michael Milne, Shayne Bolton, Nathan Doak, Ben Murphy, Tommy O'Brien, Alex Kendellen, Darragh Murray, Paddy McCarthy, Stephen Smyth and Hugh Gavin will be aiming to make their Ireland debuts next month. Sam Prendergast and Jack Crowley will continue their duel for the fly-half duties after being overlooked by the Lions, but there is no place in the 32-man squad for knee injury victim Robbie Henshaw. Iain Henderson and Rob Herring have been stood down from the tour after only recently recovering from long-term injuries. Ireland face George in Tbilisi on July 5 before taking on Portugal in Lisbon a week later. O'Connell is in charge of the squad due to the absence of Andy Farrell and Simon Easterby with the Lions. 'I believe we have a strong blend of youth and experience for what will be a trip into relatively uncharted territories this July,' O'Connell said. 'Georgia have made great strides in recent years and they have made significant investment in their rugby programme which has established them amongst the leading emerging sides in international rugby. 'Portugal showcased their attacking prowess during the 2023 World Cup. They play with confidence and we're expecting another tough test.' Ireland squad Forwards: T Ahern (Munster), R Baird (Leinster), F Bealham (Connacht), J Boyle (Leinster), T Clarkson (Leinster), G Coombes (Munster), M Deegan (Leinster), C Izuchukwu (Ulster), A Kendellen (Munster), G McCarthy (Leinster), P McCarthy (Leinster), M Milne (Munster), D Murray (Connacht), T O'Toole (Ulster), C Prendergast (Connacht), S Smyth (Leinster), T Stewart (Ulster), N Timoney (Ulster). Article continues below Backs: S Bolton (Connacht), C Casey (Munster), J Crowley (Munster), N Doak (Ulster), C Frawley (Leinster), H Gavin (Connacht), S McCloskey (Ulster), B Murphy (Connacht), C Nash (Munster), J O'Brien (Leinster), T O'Brien (Leinster), J Osborne (Leinster), S Prendergast (Leinster), J Stockdale (Ulster).
