Boxer Anthony Joshua will not “take a knee” before his match against Kubrat Pulev.
However, Joshua – the current WBA, IBF and WBO titles’ holder – said he is committed to beating racism.
Ahead of the clash at Wembley Arena he said:
“No, I won’t take the knee.
“I’m trying to do more tangible things.
“What we’re trying to do is create a union to support British culture.
“That’s important – to showcase people from the Afro-Caribbean community as valuable members of British society.
“I think that’s more important.
“That’s what we’re working on at the minute.
“Different athletes, different people, different places.
“So, taking a knee is important – 100 per cent.
“But for me, personally, I’m doing something different this time around.”
British born Joshua – the 31-year-old son of Nigerian parents – added:
“I’ve employed someone with the team who is actually working on it. It’s a difficult task but no success comes without difficulty.
“Hopefully it comes to fruition and it’s really only to do positive things in the great British environment.
“There’s sometimes issues with stigma and stereotypes. So it’s to showcase NHS workers, architects, athletes and be positive for everyone in the community.
“We’ve created a deck, a website, and we’re doing foundational things with grassroots charities.
“I’m not a full-time activist so I’m more than likely to slip up here and there.
“So, what I would like to do is to team up with charities who deal with these things day in and day out and support their causes and champion certain things.”