Boxing night remembers promising star (From Sutton Guardian)

Lewis Pinto Wonderland raises money for Wallington dead boxer's gravestone

5:00pm Thursday 14th March 2013 in News By James Pepper

Lewis Pinto was happiest when he was boxing.

So it is fitting that a boxing night, organised by his closest friends, should pay for his gravestone and give him the dignity in death which always displayed in the ring.

Pinto had just fought his first professional fight when, in June 2012 aged only 24, he took his life.

His funeral at St Elphege's Church, near where he grew up in Wallington, attracted more than 400 people, with many fighting back tears as they sang his song Walking in a Pinto wonderland for the final time.

The Pinto Wonderland boxing night was due to happen on what would have been the boxer's 25th birthday on December 8, but numerous setbacks meant it was postponed until March 2.

Organiser Bonnie Holland, said: "It was such a good night, everyone had a brilliant time and we will have enough to get Lewis a headstone. We could have sold 800 tickets it was so popular. We even got Lewis's brother to fight his best mate."

Tony Roberts, who compered the night but also went toe-to-toe with his friend Warren Sloggett, said: "What a night. Lewis would've been proud. It was a very emotional night, Lewis touched so many people, and you could tell, the place was absolutely full."

Paralympic legend David Weir, also a friend of Pinto was ringside, along with cameras from Sky Sports who were filming a documentary about him.

Mr Roberts said: "When I was compering and I got to David, it took me 10 minutes to read out all his medals, and I said at the end 'if all that isn't enough, he won the colouring competition at Roundshaw Juniors too.'"

"We all wanted to remember Lewis in a positive way, and this night did that. There will not be another one, this was it, hopefully give everyone a bit of closure."

Organisers thanked Go Fit Go Box gym who provided all the equipment for the night. Pictures from the night can be viewed and purchased through the website familyfirstphotography.co.uk with proceeds going towards the Pinto fund.