Prince defended his crown twice beaten in the fight with Dariusz Michalczewski, external for the world title in Oberhausen, Germany, in September 1998.
In 2006, his 15-year-old son Kiyan was murdered by another teenager while trying to break up a fight.
Kiyan was a talented footballer who joined the academy of championship team Queens Park Rangers at the age of 13.
Recalling his son’s death, Prince said: “I don’t think we’re built for news like this.
“I wanted to do something bad. The pain is indescribable. Boxing is easy – this was a different fight.
“The only control I really have is how I deal with the situations I find myself in. After Kiyan died, I thought, ‘Why don’t I do this for my son?'”
Prince created the Kiyan Prince Foundation, which has reached over 100,000 children through its programs, life coaching and motivational talks.
He was awarded an OBE in the 2019 New Year Honors List for his work in tackling knife crime.
In 2019, the foundation received the naming rights to Loftus Road QPR following a public vote and received the support of current and former players including Les Ferdinand, Jamie Redknapp and Charlie Austin.
“The club was very committed to supporting Mark,” former QPR and England striker Ferdinand told BBC Sport.
“What he brings is honesty and truth. These boys can see themselves in Mark. They come from where he came from.”
The Helen Rollason Award recognizes outstanding achievement in the face of adversity.
He was named Sports Personality of the Year in 1999 in memory of the BBC Sport journalist and presenter who died of cancer that year at the age of 43.
This year it falls 25th year prizes.
Former javelin world record holder and Olympic medalist Fatima Whitbread won the award in 2023and previous winners include rugby league legend Rob Burrow, Scottish rugby great Doddie Weir, Hillsborough activist Anne Williams, football fan Bradley Lowery and racing driver Billy Monger.
