A new book chronicling the life of the Tipton Slasher has been launched in the town.

West Bromwich-based Robert Davies, aged 54, has launched his new book – Tipton Slasher And His Life On The Black Country Canals – at Tipton Library,

The book looks at the life of William Perry, the town’s legendary bare-knuckle boxer who claimed the heavyweight boxing championship of England twice, in 1850 and in 1856.

The Tipton Slasher in Wolverhampton, aged 62, and a statue stands in Tipton to honour his memory, yards away from the Fountain Inn public house, which was once his headquarters.

He regularly fought fellow boatmen on the many local canals in order to be first through the lockgates before he was finally defeated by Tom Sayers in 1857.

The book is the first on the Slasher’s life in a while and follows a poetry competition run by Tipton Library.