A SCULPTOR has described the emotional moment the widow of a former boxing champion saw how he had immortalised her late husband’s winning gloves in steel.

Graeme Hopper was speaking ahead of the official unveiling of a permanent memorial recognising the achievements of Maurice Cullen, who was five times British Lightweight boxing champion. Mr Cullen died in November 2001.

Councillor Eunice Huntington, who represents the people of Shotton and South Hetton on Durham County Council, commissioned the royal artist, who lives near Crook, to create the 10ft sculpture.

Mr Hopper said: “Maurice’s wife Joan has the original gloves that he won the title with. She loaned them to me and I used them to to scale up a set of boxing gloves that looked like the ones he used.

“Joan came over with her daughter to see it. It was very emotional. I was over the moon that she accepted it and liked it.”

The gloves hang by the laces within a frame, which could represent the posts of a boxing ring or the entrance to a mine.

Mr Cullen, who was managed by his brother, Terry, lost only eight of his 55 bouts in a career which spanned 1959 to 1970. He grew up in Wheatley Hill, starting work as an apprentice pipe fitter at the local colliery. His family later moved to nearby Shotton. He fought in National Coal Board boxing championships winning the featherweight title and later the lightweight title.

In 1959 he turned professional and won his first bout against Ricky Mcmasters on points over six rounds.

During his career, Mr Cullen fought in Brazil and at the legendary New York boxing venue, Maddison Square Gardens.

The sculpture will be unveiled on the Ashbrooke Estate in Shotton Colliery at 11am on Saturday by Mr Cullen’s grandchildren Luke, 16, Tom, 13, and Millie, six. The event includes a display of his boxing memorabilia.