A former professional boxer and property tycoon will this week launch a campaign to stamp out domestic violence.

Fergus Wilson, of Long Lane, Boughton Monchelsea, wants to restore chivalry while making it socially unacceptable to beat women.

The self-proclaimed eccentric 67-year-old hopes his year-long Stop Domestic Violence campaign will put an end to a crime which he sees as becoming more prevalent.

He said: “More and more frequently I turn up at properties I own to see holes in doors the same size and shape of a woman’s head. It’s a problem which should not exist in today’s society but from my experience is more common than ever.

“Real men don’t beat women. As in boxing, heavyweights should stick to heavyweights, flyweights to flyweights and men to men" — Fergus Wilson

“Real men don’t beat women. As in boxing, heavyweights should stick to heavyweights, flyweights to flyweights and men to men.

“When those responsible for these acts go down the pub and meet their mates they should be shunned. It’s only by making it a complete taboo that we can drive this issue out of society.”

The multi-millionaire landlord added: “As has happened on a number of occasions, if I see a man harassing a woman I will step in, I don’t think I could live with myself if I didn’t. But I think there is a trend nowadays to walk past any trouble and avoid confrontation.”

Mr Wilson fears due to the very low conviction rate and lack of women coming forward, the public may not see domestic violence as a widespread and serious issue.

The mogul’s comments come days after a UN report criticised the UK’s inconsistent and incoherent approach to tackling violence against women.

The organisation stated austerity measures were compromising the safety of females and demanded an independent inquiry into Yarl’s Wood, the Bedfordshire-based female immigrant detention centre which has been the subject of repeat abuse allegations.

Mr Wilson also announced over the course of the project he plans to incorporate a number of sporting challenges and competitions, including a proposed quest to find a new European heavyweight boxing champion.