A BOXER-turned artist is to have his latest work displayed in a New York exhibition. Patrick Killian, from Westend, Abercarn, was commissioned to produce a painting for the exhibition, which takes Irish boxers as its theme.

Mr Killian, who was Welsh Amateur Boxing Federation champion in 1997, specialises in sport and celebrity artwork.

His latest piece will feature 45 fighters from the 1800s to the present day and includes recent greats like Barry McGuigan and Steve Collins. The picture will appear on posters advertising the exhibition, held at the Irish Arts Center, New York in September. Mr Killian, 31, set up his own business, Killian Art, last February selling paintings and fine art prints.

Mr Killian, whose grandfather was Irish, said: "I had so much passion for the sport I started with boxing but then I progressed from there."

Samples of his work, including paintings of Joe Calzaghe and Gavin Henson, were displayed in St David's Hall, Cardiff.

He has until the end of April to complete the painting, which will be 5ft by 3.5ft.