South Cheshire businessman to battle “hardest man on planet”

South Cheshire businessman Ken Lawton has unveiled plans to take on ‘the hardest man on the planet’ after raising more than £10,000 for charity with a celebrity boxing night.

Ken, a former Lightweight Kickboxing Champion, drew more than 500 people to Nantwich Civic Hall in March when he returned to the ring after 30 years to raise money for The Christie Charity and British Heart Foundation.

Now the 58-year-old, who owns security company Alpha Omega in Crewe, is planning to take on Mike Tyson’s sparring partner ‘Big Joe’ Egan, a former heavyweight boxing champion, at the Civic later this year.

Ken, from Nantwich, said: “Going back in the ring, and all the months of training beforehand, was the toughest thing I have ever done but the rewards were great.

“The backing from local business community and people who came along on the night, even queueing at the door to get in, was touching.

“And being able to hand over a big sum to the two charities as a result was very special.”

March’s charity night, dubbed ‘The Road to the Ring’, saw Ken fight his sparring partner Pete Shufflebotham in a thrilling bout which ended in a draw.

A film was shown charting their months of training to be fighting fit and the evening attracted boxing legends Frank Bruno, Tony Bellew, Carl Froch, Tim Witherspoon and Big Joe who spoke about their careers.

Dubliner Joe is now a Hollywood actor who has played a tough man in blockbusters such as Vengeance with Vinnie Jones, Sherlock Holmes with Robert Downey Junior and his latest film Once Upon A Time In London.

Friends and some people who supported the night were invited back to the Civic for a reception and cheque presentation of more than £5,000 to each of the charities.

Ken added: “There’s definitely another fight in me before I’m 60, this time for another charitable cause, if I can get the backing from the corporate community.

“This time it will be against Big Joe. Mike Tyson called him the ‘hardest white man on the planet’.

“So this will be a true David and Goliath battle. I’m hoping to announce the date soon.”

Businesses that would like to get behind the night are asked to contact Ken Lawton at Alpha Omega Securities on 01270 258881.

For more on the company visit www.alphaomegauk.com

(Pic: Boxers ‘Big Joe’ Egan and Ken Lawton are planning a charity night in Nantwich)