An effort is underway to erect a statue to Morris 'Two Gun' Cohen, a larger-than-life figure from days gone by in Saskatoon.

The idea is being promoted by business man Art Mark, who says Cohen's reputation as a west-side brawler only captures a fraction of the man's deeds.

Cohen's adventures took him from his home in London to Saskatoon where he first gained notoriety as a local tough guy about 100 years ago.

Saskatoon businessman Art Mark, in front of a picture of Morris 'Two Gun' Cohen. (Dan Kerslake/CBC)

In time he became a bodyguard for the first Chinese President.

Author Don Kerr, who wrote a play about Cohen's time in Saskatoon, says the man's legend really took hold when he stopped a Chinese man from being robbed.

"Because nobody defended the Chinese [and] he defended the Chinese," Kerr said. "So he became a hero for the Chinese."

Mark, who has been part of Saskatoon's Chinese community since the 1950s, says Cohen's story is worthy of commemoration.

"It's not in the history books, they don't teach this in high school," Mark said. "I think this is a good thing, to find a Canadian hero."

"I think he had a good heart," Mark added. "He knows what's right."

Mark is raising money for a statue and hopes it may find a home in the new River Landing development which was once Saskatoon's China Town.

With files from CBC's Dan Kerslake