Anthony Joshua enters the fray in Liam's cancer fight
As the undisputed king of world boxing, Anthony Joshua is now master of all he surveys. But that hasn't stopped him from stepping in to help young Shropshire leukaemia patient Liam Finazzi, as part of Richie Woodhall's latest charity auction.
A glass boxing glove, signed by newly crowned unified world title holder Joshua, will go under the hammer at Shrewsbury-based auction house Halls this week.
All proceeds will go to the appeal fund for five-year-old Liam, who is battling a rare form of leukaemia.
The auction will be held at Halls auction house in Shrewsbury on Wednesday, starting 10am.
It is the latest in a series of charity auctions organised by Telford-based former boxing champion Richie over the past 18 months. Previous beneficiaries have included the Jayne Sargent Foundation, Macmillan Cancer Support, The Harry Johnson Trust and the Lingen Davies Cancer Relief Fund.
Richie holds the auctions in memory of his father Len, who died in 2015 after a long battle with cancer.
He has known Joshua, who signed the glove just before his sensational 11th-round victory over Wladimir Klitschko last month, since he helped prepare him for the 2012 Olympics in London.
Richie said he was only too happy to help.
"He was delighted to help, he said 'good luck with the auction and let me know how you get on'," says Richie.
The glove, in Bristol Blue glass, was made specially for Richie when he was invited to the factory as a guest of honour.
"They took me on a tour of the factory, and I watched it being made," he said.
"It is a rare item."
Liam, from Malinslee, Telford, was diagnosed with leukaemia in December just weeks after his fifth birthday.
At the moment he is being treated at Birmingham Children's Hospital.
A fundraising campaign was set up to help his family pay for expenses and for his parents to take time off work during his six-month treatment.
The family also needs help with the deposit to buy a wheelchair accessible vehicle.
So far, online fundraising for the family has raised over £4,000.
Liam's father Andrew said he was grateful that Richie had stepped in to help, and also to Joshua for lending his support to the effort.
"It's very kind of Richie to raise money towards Liam's fund," he said.
"Liam has unfortunately developed brain damage after contracting a virus whilst having a comprised immune system due to chemotherapy.
"The money will be very useful as we need a deposit for a wheelchair accessible vehicle so we are extreme grateful that Richie has thought of us."
The glove will be available for viewing at Halls in Bowmen Way, Battlefield, between 9.30am and 4.30pm on Tuesday, and also from 9am on the morning of the auction.
Anyone unable to attend on the day, can ask the auctioneer to bid on their behalf up to an agreed limit. Call 01743 450700 to arrange this. Alternatively, it is possible to bid online by registering at the-saleroom.com/halls
