A BOXER, who won astonishing battles both inside and outside the ring around 100 years ago, is among the newest nominations for a place on Bolton's 85ft tribute to sport.

Owen Moran heads the latest list of candidates put forward for the golden Spirit of Sport sculpture which is to be built on the De Havilland Way roundabout outside the Reebok Stadium.

Born the eldest of four brothers and two sisters, at the age of 10 Owen got himself a job and earned enough money to buy the entire family out of Townley's Workhouse.

He learned to wrestle and supported his family with his winnings before establishing a reputation as one of Britain's leading boxers.

Owen fought more than 400 fights and his brilliant left hand and canny elusiveness led many commentators to tip him as a future champion.

His promising career was cut short, however, when, as a sergeant in the Machine Gun Corps during the First World War, he was shot five times in the knee.

After the war, he spent a number of years training local youngsters before he was killed following a motorcycle accident in the fog on Deane Road at the age of 46.

His grandson, also called Owen Moran, said: "He never forgot the hardships and struggles of his early life and taught many local lads boxing, guiding them in physical and moral issues until his untimely death.

"I was born just two years later and was unfortunate never to have known him personally but this is my chance to honour the memory of a fine man who struggled to care for others."

The Spirit of Sport will be covered by thousands of panels each emblazoned with the images of hundreds of sports men and women from the borough. More than 40 have been nominated by readers of the Bolton Evening News, ranging from the legendary Nat Lofthouse to modern hero Amir Khan.

"There is still time to nominate your sporting heroes to appear on the sculpture. Send nominations to the Spirit of Sport, Bolton Evening News, Churchgate, Bolton BL1 1DE or email: letters@boltoneveningnews.co.uk.