Legendary Muhammad Ali biographer Thomas Hauser backs ‘A Night of Solidarity’ project to celebrate the unifying power of sport and raise funds for communities affected by the Grenfell fire
The legendary boxing writer, Thomas Hauser, has expressed support for the “Night of Solidarity” project which aims to celebrate the unifying power of sport and raise funds for the Fire Fighters Charity, and youth sport and community groups in areas affected by the Grenfell fire in 2017.
Hauser, who is best known for writing “Muhammad Ali: His Life and Times”, made his comments at a recent reception at the House of Lords, “Ringside on the River Terrace”, which was the first stage in “A Night of Solidarity” and aimed to raise awareness of the project amongst politicians, policy makers, sports leader and potential partners.
Stage two of the project will take place on Friday 13 November 2026 when boxers from the London Fire Brigade (LFB) Boxing Club will compete against a North Kensington select team made-up of men, women and youth boxers from clubs in north west London in a charity fundraising match at Kensington Town Hall in London.
Speaking at “Ringside on the River Terrace”, Hauser expressed his support for the project and outlined why he thinks boxing is such a powerful sport in bringing people and communities together.
Hauser said: “A ‘Night of Solidarity’ is a symbol of what boxing can do in terms of bridging divides and bringing people together. The names says it – solidarity. It is not about dividing people.
“It’s ironic that fighting is normally an aggressive act that divides people, but boxing has the power to unite communities and bring people of different colours, different religions, different ethnicities and beliefs, and even entire countries together in a way that no other sport can.”
On how he came to be involved with the project, Hauser added: “When I was invited to be part of this, I did some research on the Grenfell Tower tragedy and came to understand how the institutions had failed people but that the clubs that have been set up to help teach young men and women to box provided a tremendous service to a lot of different people, on a lot of different levels, so I am very pleased and honoured to be part of this.
“I know there is a major fundraising event in Kensington on November 13th and I expect that that will be very successful and is well worth supporting.”
GB Boxing is one of the partners helping to deliver “A Night of Solidarity” and as part of its commitment to the project, Paris Olympic bronze medallist, Lewis Richardson, two of GB Boxing’s 2026 Commonwealth Games gold medallists, Damar Thomas and Patris Mughalzai, and Senior Podium Coach, Gary Hale will be guests at this Friday’s charity fundraising event.
The action in the ring will feature 13 bouts that will he held under England Boxing rules. It will include minor, youth and senior contests featuring boxers from a range of London clubs including Fit for Life, All Stars, Earlsfield, Tulleys and Dale Youth.
A limited number of tickets for “A Night of Solidarity” are available and can be purchased HERE.
Donations of support to ‘A Night of Solidarity’ can be made at the JustGiving page for ‘A Night of Solidarity’.
‘A Night of Solidarity’ is being delivered with the help of the LFB, Gerda Security Products, Trans Comms and iVB Boxing and is supported by GB Boxing, England Boxing, London Boxing, Armz House and the LFB Boxing Club.
The charities and organisations that will be supported by the project are: MO1 Youths, Armz House, Fit for Life Youth. Power Hub, All for One Community Club, United Against Violence, KOTG, The Dalgarno Trust and the Firefighter’s Charity.