AN award-winning play which tells the story of a gifted boxer who fought discrimination both in and out of the ring is coming to Bolton.

Len Johnson Fighter makes its debut at The Octagon Theatre, Bolton, on Wednesday and Thursday, starring Jarreau Benjamin in the title role.

The tale of a true working class hero and a peerless boxer who fought for all, regardless of race or creed, it questions and exposes the depths of racism inherent in society.

Mr Benjamin, aged 33, from Manchester, said: "I could not believe I had never heard of him because of all the stuff he did in Manchester and with the boxing side of things.

"It's just amazing, especially when I read his book and found out what type of person he was.

"I did a lot of research and spoke to a lot of older people in Manchester.

"They said that he was a very nice guy who fought for a lot of causes.

"I think what he achieved in his life was more the fact of helping other people and showing that, even though you are not getting what you want, you can still help other people to get things set up for the future.

"He had 127 fights knowing that he was not going to get a title."

The Manchester-born sportsman defeated many of the great fighters of his day but the colour bar, which was not lifted in the UK until 1948, meant non-white boxers were not allowed to contest British titles.

He continued his fight against discrimination throughout his career and after his retirement from the ring.

In 1946, with his friends and comrades Wilf Charles and Syd Booth, they formed The New International Society, campaigning for numerous causes home and abroad.

They also became great friends with the American singer and civil rights campaigner Paul Robeson, played by Salim Sai, who sang for free in front of 20,000 people in Manchester’s Moss Side in 1949.

Mr Benjamin was nominated for a Manchester Theatre Award for his portrayal of Johnson after its initial three week run at the Kings Arms in Salford.

He said: "I had to do boxing training.

"It was really hard but the more I did it, the easier it got and the more I wanted to do it.

"It goes from his 20s up to 65.

"It covers his boxing, his communist party involvement, how he helped out in the war."

He now wants the production — which won best new play at the Greater Manchester Fringe Festival in 2014 — to go out on tour to other theatres and boxing gyms.

Mr Johnson, who used to play semi-professional basketball, said: "In England, there are so many black boxers.

"I spoke to a few people at Sky Sports that deal with the boxing, some of them knew about him and some of them didn't.

"It's been good, it's been a history lesson.

"I would love this to be a film. I think it would work really well.

"I just love the story, it's just about getting the story out there."

He added: "There are still struggles with racism but on a lesser scale but I would say it's still there."

Written by Colin Connor and directed by Nick Birchill, Len Johnson Fighter is on at the Octagon Theatre on Wednesday and Thursday.

Visit octagonbolton.co.uk for tickets.