THE CAMPAIGN to pay for a statue of a Newport boxing hero is within sight of its £35,000 target, less than a year after fundraising was launched.

David Pearce was one of the most successful boxers to come out of Newport and events have been held across the city to raise money to pay for a statue in his honour.

A dinner at Tredegar Park Gold Club on September 27 was the latest fundraiser which gave £5,500 to the fund. This came on top of £1,200 raised by a concert at the Newport Neon featuring 2 Rude and a disco at the Malpas Unionist Club which raised £450.

The dinner saw boxing greats from Gwent and further afield gather to show support for the campaign, with former two-time World Heavyweight champion US boxer Tim Witherspoon, Commonwealth medallist Sean McGoldrick and former British and Commonwealth Light Heavyweight champion, Cardiff's Eddie Avoth among those present.

Tim Witherspoon, who also fought and beat Frank Bruno in the 1980s said of David: "Wow, that man could punch for a small guy. He was a true 'Rocky'".

Holly Oaks star Paula Williamson was also at the event. She said she was "glad to help this great cause for a true champion".

Ex-steelworker David Pearce had his first professional fight in 1978 but his high-point was to come when he became the Welsh and British Heavyweight champion. David said at the time: “I did it for Newport”.

Ex-steelworker David Pearce had his first professional fight in 1978 and he followed this with a succession of wins before he defeated the three-time WBC World light heavyweight champion, Dennis Andries in 1981.

But the high-point was to come two years later at St David’s Hall in Cardiff in 1983 when David fought Swansea’s Neville Meade to become the Welsh and British Heavyweight champion - a title he never lost in the ring. Always proud of his home town, David said at the time: “I did it for Newport”.

He tragically died in 2000 when he was just 41-years-old and around 2,000 people lined Newport streets for his funeral.

More people have since joined those thousands who said farewell to the boxer and backed the campaign to create a memorial to the man dubbed by many as ‘Newport’s Rocky’.

Many Newport businesses have also backed the campaign with many holding fundraising events.

The Victoria pub in Newport has recently donated £1,000. Landlord Joey Bourne said he was backing the cause because it would “inspire the city with this statue”.

Another supporter, Ricky Gilchrist of the Phone Box on Malpas Road said: “Everyone is talking about it, it has put Newport on the map”. Other local firms involved included The Royal Oak pub, Lee Cartwright building services and LeeTech Gas engineers.

John Tuvnes of the Royal Oak in Newport said: "He was a hero to Pillgwenlly and we want to support this great cause".

While Lee Hancock of Lee Tech Engineering explained his support for the statue saying: "David was one of the best fighters pound for pound to come from Wales, his story is about fighting against the odds."

Lawrence Preston and members of Newport Wing Chun Martial Arts donated £60.

Individuals like Chris and Daniel Thomas collected sponsorship money of £165 to support the fund.

Newport County away supporters donated £108 in a collection organised by the County charity, the Smile Council.

The fundraising committee also thanked John Griffiths, Charlie, Leighton and Lindsey Frayne.

Member of the fundraising committee and nephew of David, Luke Pearce, said: “To reach £30,000 in 10 months is a remarkable achievement so far. I am so proud of the committee and Newport and Wales.”

The statue has already been created and work now has to be started on the plinth where the figure will stand on the riverside walk near the university campus.