AN ARTIST from Newbridge was invited to attend the prize fight between Tyson Fury and Wladimir Klitschko in Dusseldorf last weekend after painting an image of the boxers.

The piece by Patrick Killian, signed by the new heavyweight world champion Fury, the Klitschko brothers, referee Tony Weeks and ring announcer Michael Buffer, was sold for a "substantial fee".

The 41-year-old artist has painted other figures from the sport, including Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson, which is very close to his heart.

“I used to box myself when I was younger and I was a Welsh Amateur Boxing Federation champion in 1997,” said Mr Killian. “It is something which is a passion of mine and very close to my heart.”

The artist attended the weigh in before the world championship fight in Germany, where his artwork was signed by the famous faces.

Mr Killian has created a number of live paintings in the past, including of Paul Gascoigne at an auction event in Leeds, but also works closely with charities, creating fundraising artwork.

“Last month I created a live painting which helped to raise £4,000 for Children in Need, and I have done a lot of work for the Amelia-Mae Foundation, a children’s cancer charity which I am an ambassador for,” said the artist.