Leicester's fighting heroes past and present will be there when the city's latest boxing gym opens.

Ajmal Butt has set up the Unity Boxing Club on Home Farm Walk, in Beaumont Leys, and has attracted a star-studded line-up for the opening on March 27.

Tony Sibson, Leicester's former British, Commonwealth and European champion and world title challenger, will be joined by ex-British light-welterweight king Tony McKenzie and Rocky Campbell, who won the Midlands Area heavyweight title and beat some of Europe's leading big men.

Boxing brothers Martin and Kevin Concepcion will also be at the launch. Both are from Beaumont Leys and are preparing for big fights.

Martin defends his Midlands Area light-middleweight title in Coventry on April 23, while Kevin boxes at Leicester Tigers' Welford Road ground on May 22.

Butt, a father of three, has lived in Beaumont Leys most of his life and has been able to set up the gym with the help of local councillors Vi Dempster, Keith Lloyd-Harris, Paul Westley, and Colin Marriott, along with funds from the Abbey and Beaumont Leys Ward Community Funds and money from the Positive Activities for Young People budget.

Butt, who turned to boxing after the loss of his brother, Anton, said: "The sport gave me peace of mind as well as self- discipline and respect for others. I want local children and young people to have this opportunity.

"I have called the club Unity because that's what it is all about – bringing together people of all ages, all colours, all creeds and males and females – community cohesion through boxing."

The event starts at 3pm when new members will be able to enrol. The official opening will take place at 4pm and the public will have a chance to meet and talk to the boxers before the event finishes at 7pm.