A FORMER World Champion boxer, who now lives in Wirral, will receive an MBE for services to charitable fundraising in the Queen's Birthday Honours list.

London-born John Stracey, 71, who now lives in Wallasey, beat the great Jose Napoles, sensationally stopping the Mexican-based Cuban to win the WBC welterweight title in 1975.

After his successful career he decided to invest time into charitable causes, including many around his adopted new home, such as Mind, Pathfinders, the NSPCC and Stick ’n’ Step. He will receive an MBE for the money he has helped channel into these groups.

He is an ambassador for WBC and volunteers for WBC cares, a programme where former and current champions visit ill children in hospital. John is also in the WBC Hall of Fame and the British Ex Boxers Hall of Fame for his achievements.

Stracey's greatest moment came on December 6 1975 in Mexico City after defeating Napoles, who at the time was regarded as pound for pound the best boxer in the world.

He was also the undefeated European Welterweight Champion and British Welterweight Champion in the 1970s.

Before he became professional the Bethnal Green lad represented Great Britain at the Olympics. He was 18 on the day he flew out and is still the youngest English boxer to represent Britain at the Games.