BOXING fans hope to erect a statue of the great Jock McAvoy to mark what would have been his 100th birthday in November.

The "Rochdale Thunderbolt" became a hugely popular fighter in the heyday of the King's Hall at Belle Vue, when he won British and Commonwealth middleweight titles.

McAvoy was a well-known Manchester figure in the 30s, training alongside fellow champs Jackie Brown and Johnny King at Jock Bates's Collyhurst gym.

He died in 1971, but his great-grandson Dave Bamford - Jock's real name was Joe Bamford - is aiming a fund-raising drive to pay for a permanent memorial. Dave has had talks with Rochdale council about erecting a statue at Hollingworth Lake, where McAvoy would hold training camps ahead of his bouts.

"I am too young to have known Jock, as I wasn't born until 1975, but I am proud to be related to such a great sportsman," says Dave, who is landlord of the Freemason's Arms in Milnrow, which has become a shrine to the boxer's memory.

"I have spoken to boxing trainer Brian Hughes, who also wrote a book about Jock, and he says that today's boxers aren't fit to lace his boots."

Dave hopes to include Ricky Hatton in the fund-raising activities.

To raise funds, Dave is planning to hold a night of boxing and music nostalgia on November 20, which will be the centenary of McAvoy's birth.

The event will, fittingly, be held at Richmond Hall, which was formerly the St Patrick's School which McAvoy attended.

Anyone interested in the event, which will also feature music from The Ambassadors, should ring 07875 205450. Tweet