THE campaign to erect a statue in honour of a Newport boxing hero is set to receive a further boost with a corporate dinner to raise funds later this week.

The black-tie event at Tredegar Park golf club is the latest fundraiser in the push to commemorate David ‘Bomber’ Pearce. He held the British and Welsh Heavyweight crown in the early 1980s and the Pill fighter’s courage in the ring made him one of Wales’ most successful boxers.

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

The dinner will also feature a Question and Answer session with boxing greats Andrew Gerrard and Robbie Regan, who both knew David.

There will also be an auction of memorabilia with signed gloves from Anthony Crolla and Tyson Fury, shorts signed by Ricky Hatton and a signed picture of Muhammed Ali.

A documentary film on David Pearce’s boxing career will also be played on the night, produced by Steve Horton with fight footage supplied by Rickie Gilchrist of The Phonebox.

You can support the campaign now by going to the justgiving page http://bit.ly/2lLJmXX

Cheques payable to ‘The David Bomber statue fund’ can be sent to: Cwm Cottage, Cwm Lane, Rogerstone, Newport NP10 9GQ