By Joe Locker, Local Democracy Reporter
A world-famous Nottingham boxer is being “brought back to life” with a bronze statue thanks to a mystery donor who has agreed to fund the project following an eight-year campaign.
The statue will depict legendary 19th century prizefighter William ‘Bendigo’ Thompson, whose name today sits in the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
Renown sculptor Andy Edwards, whose work includes The Beatles statue in Liverpool and the Brian Clough and Peter Taylor sculpture at Derby County’s Pride Park stadium, has agreed to create it.
Established in 2016, the Bendigo Heritage Project is behind the campaign to keep the sportsman’s name alive.
Alan Dawson, a trustee of the project, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service it is being funded by an individual who does not wish to be named.
The statue is expected to cost in the region of £100,000 and Mr Dawson hopes to have it placed in Trinity Square, subject to permission from Nottingham City Council.
“We’ve tried various ways to raise funds whilst taking the whole story to a new audience,” Mr Dawson said.
“A private individual heard about the story and the project – he has no connection to Nottingham – and he was inspired by it, the whole story resonated with him, and this benefactor will now fund the statue for us.
“It is fantastic news for us, for Nottingham, and for the sport of boxing to be quite frank.
“He does mean so much and his grave is effectively hidden behind a railing. The signage for it is not great, so it is almost as if he’s been kept a secret.
“But he won’t be a secret much longer because we hope, and we’re making initial inquiries with the city council, that this statue will go in Trinity Square.
“It should be and will be a tourist attraction.”
The Bendigo Heritage Project hosts a number of history tours and exhibitions about the boxer’s life.
Bendigo was born in 1811, and was sent to a workhouse in Nottingham at the age of 15 following the death of his father.
He later worked as an iron turner, before becoming a bare-knuckle prizefighter to bring in money for his family at the age of 18.
Credited with the southpaw boxing stance, Bendigo remained the undefeated All-England Champion after fighting 21 times between 1831 and 1850.
In 1955 his was posthumously placed in the Ring Boxing Hall of Fame and later the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1991.
He died at the age of 60 at his home in Beeston, and is today buried in St Mary’s Rest Garden in Sneinton.
The grave is marked by a memorial lion, which was funded through donations raised by John Ellis, a landlord at The Forest Tavern, and William Hulse, who ran the Malt Cross Music Hall.
Jevon Patrick, trustee of the project and amateur boxing historian, said: “It is a Hollywood story that has been on our doorstep for over 150 years.
“The story can inspire people like it did us, and what is good about the statue is it gives people the opportunity to unravel the story for themselves.
“We are actually bringing someone back to life. With the lack of technology during Bendigo’s era we don’t have much photography of him, so we are now starting to develop this visual image of him.”
Sculptor Mr Edwards says he will be using the latest digital forensic science to recreate Bendigo’s likeness from posters and drawings over 200 years old.
“His striking image in bronze statuary will stand for strength, determination and resilience,” he added.
“His statue will be a new international landmark and an invitation to learn about a fascinating period and its characters.”
Nottingham City Council has been contacted for comment.
