Don King, the controversial boxing promoter, on Wednesday urged black voters to support Donald Trump, appearing at an Ohio church with the Republican nominee to say they "need" him in the White House.

Portraying Mr Trump as an agent of "inclusiveness", King contended that the billionaire would break down "the system" that he said had held women and black people back.

"The system is the problem, and he’s the only gladiator who will take on the system," he said, adding: " We need Donald Trump, especially black people."

King caused a stir by using a racial epithet during the introduction.

After describing Mr Trump as "the man who will save America", King recounted a conversation he had with Michael Jackson about the roles black people had played in the US.