Boxing champ Joshua helps Richie hammer cancer

A glove signed by the IBF and WBA world heavyweight champion goes under the hammer at Hall's in Shrewsbury next month in Richie's latest auction in support of cancer charities.

All funds raised from the auction will go to the Pink Ribbon breast cancer support group, which helps buy equipment for the Princess Royal Hospital in Telford.

Joshua will be defending both his crowns against Frenchman Carlos Takam on October 28, and Richie said he expected there to be much interest in the glove when it goes under he hammer on November 8.

Telford-based Richie, who held the WBC super-middleweight world title from 1998 to 1999, has known Joshua since he was an up-and-coming Olympic hopeful.

As technical advisor to the British Olympic boxing team, Richie started working with Joshua since 2010 and has watched his meteoric rise to the pinnacle of his sport.

He said Joshua was delighted to support his latest auction.

"I saw Josh training in Sheffield and told him about the Pink Ribbon charity and he said he would love to help," said Richie.

He said that Joshua was a tremendously popular figure at the moment, and that the glove would be a highly desirable addition for any collection.

Betty Jenkinson, a founding member of Pink Ribbon, said the proceeds from the sale would go towards a new £75,000 biopsy machine at the Princess Royal Hospital.

"We are so excited that Richie has decided to support us again, it means so much," said the 77-year-old, who has twice been diagnosed with breast cancer.

Since it was formed in 1993, Pink Ribbon has raised £140,000 for breast cancer services at the hospital.

Richie has been holding regular auctions for cancer charities for the past two years, in tribute to his father Len who died after a long battle with prostate cancer in 2015.

It is the second time Richie he has chosen to support Pink Ribbon in his regular charity auctions, raising £175 for the charity in March this year.

He said he felt humbled by the work of volunteers such as Betty, who give up their free-time to help others.

"That is what impresses me more than anything, the work that these people do volunteering," he said.

"Cancer affects us all in some way, we all know somebody who has had cancer or been affected by it."

The auction will be held at Halls auction house in Bowmen Way, Battlefield, on November 8, starting at 10.

Bidding can either be done in person, over the internet, or through a commission bid placed in advance.

All lots can be viewed the day before the auction, or from 9am onwards on the day.

Those unable to attend in person can leave place an absentee or commission bid with the auctioneer before the sale, indicating the maximum they are willing to pay and the auctioneer can then bid on their behalf.

It is also possible to bid live over the internet while the auction is taking place, allowing those who need to stay at home or at work to bid interactively while the auction is taking place.

To do this you need to register online at www.the-saleroom.com/halls before the auction begins.