A NEWPORT businessman has backed the campaign to raise a statue in honour of a Newport boxing hero in a very public way.

Newport undertaker Mike Ryan has decorated the window of his shop on Malpas Road as a tribute to Newport boxer David Pearce, who was one the most successful boxers to come out of the city.

He said he wanted to help pay a proper tribute to the fighter: “I decided to support the campaign because I knew David very well and I boxed with David’s brother Walter ‘Bimbo’ Pearce in the 60s. But it was also about supporting Newport and telling people about the city’s sporting heroes.”

The window has been decked out with memorabilia spanning the Newport heavyweight’s time in the ring, with pictures, posters and even the robe worn by David in a title fight.

The promotion comes as the campaign to raise funds received another boost from an event held at a city centre pub earlier this month.

The race night at the Cross Keys raised £1,100 from bets placed on virtual horse races and a raffle for prizes such as an overnight stay at the luxury Celtic Guest House in Llanmartin.

Future events to support the campaign include a concert at the Newport Neon on April 1, featuring top UK ska tribute band 2Rude, Newport favourites Big Mac’s Wholly Soul Band and some of the city’s top DJs.

Fundraising committee member and nephew of David, Luke Pearce, said the night would be a great way for people to show their support.

“It will be fantastic to have two great bands on one night and top DJs putting on a show for the campaign,” he said. “The backing we’re getting from Mike and all the people who supported the race night means that we’ve made a great start to the fundraising.

“There’s still a long way to go, but it’s great to see the way everyone is getting behind the campaign.”

The fundraising drive is hoping to raise £35,000 to pay for the memorial to David ‘Bomber’ Pearce who was British and Welsh Heavyweight Champion in the 1980s.

The appeal has now raised over £7,000 and is more than half-way to its first-stage target of £12,000. Fundraisers will have to find a total of £35,000 to pay for the statue.

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