Elijah Pierce. (Picture by Adam Hagy/OTX)
Life classes, out and in of the ring, have molded Elijah Pierce into the fighter he’s in the present day.
Pierce is relying on these classes to steer him to a world title alternative.
The hard-hitting Pierce, rated No. 9 by The Ring at 122 kilos, will face Jose Sanmartin tonight on the Additional time Elite Area in Atlanta, Georgia. The ten-round bout will headline a five-bout Chilly Summa card that can stream reside on DAZN (7:30 p.m. ET/ 4:30 p.m. PT).
At Thursday’s weigh-in, Pierce weighed in on the junior featherweight restrict of 122 kilos. Sanmartin got here in at 121.8 kilos.
In his final bout on March 29, Pierce (19-2-1, 16 knockouts) overcame a knockdown in spherical two to knock out Arthur Villanueva within the fourth spherical. Pierce admitted making the error of overlooking Villanueva, one thing he mustn’t have accomplished and acknowledges has made him higher in getting ready for opponents.
“It was one other humbling expertise,” Pierce informed The Ring Tuesday. “I ignored Villanueva. I didn’t know an excessive amount of about him. I didn’t watch quite a bit on him. One or two fights. I assumed he was not similar to me, so far as ability. I didn’t truly do the analysis, and truly, nor did my group do analysis on his background. We didn’t know he was (Ring Journal junior bantamweight champion Naoya) Inoue’s sparring accomplice. We didn’t know he was a three-time world title challenger till after the struggle. So these are the issues that have been necessary. He wasn’t only a slouch. He wasn’t somebody to be ignored. He was truly any person robust and tough who had a persevering nature to struggle, moreover the shortage of abilities.
“On the finish of the day, hats off to him. He introduced out that different aspect of me. It woke me up. Wanting ahead to this struggle, I’m on my A-game. I’ll be on my A-game as a result of it was a type of classes I needed to be taught. We’re not there but. We’ve to remain sharp always.”
The 27-year-old was initially scheduled to face Sanmartin (35-8-1, 21 KOs) of Colombia earlier this yr, however the struggle was rescheduled to tonight. Pierce has had a resurgence over the past couple of years, having gained his final 10 bouts since dropping by majority resolution to fringe featherweight contender Sulaiman Segawa in September 2019.
Pierce’s different defeat as a professional got here in June 2018, dropping by unanimous resolution to present light-weight Giovanni Cabrera.
Regardless of the setbacks, Pierce believes he’s a extra full fighter, and is simply going to proceed to get higher.
“Dropping these fights, truly, the primary loss was to a man who was truly a light-weight,” mentioned Pierce, who’s co-managed by Trifon Petrov and Jessie Tanksley. “The second loss was resulting from private points. I (solely) skilled for 2 weeks for that struggle. That was in opposition to a man I may simply beat. I misplaced to him by majority resolution, once more coaching on two weeks’ discover. It was one other studying lesson. You may’t anticipate to be sound within the ring for those who’re not sound upstairs. As soon as I gained data and had the best group behind me, the place they informed me to drop down and struggle at 122 kilos as a result of I used to be not slicing weight correctly. I used to be not consuming proper. I used to be going by means of loads of rising pains I needed to undergo.
“As soon as I received the required perception, issues round me began to considerably enhance after that. I’ve at all times been blessed with God-given skill. Energy, pace, fast reflexes, nice footwork. That is all because of my Dad, who stresses footwork. All these issues have performed an element and turned me into who I’m in the present day. I’m nonetheless untapped and haven’t proven who I actually am to the world. I’m an individual who doesn’t overcompensate. I wish to assess the struggle by what’s crucial. Numerous the time, I’ve overwhelmed these guys due to my pure athleticism, I haven’t needed to dig into my skill-set actually to beat these guys, as of but. On the similar time, I’ve needed to be humble and hone these abilities till it’s time to deliver them out.”
After Inoue, the 122-pound division is a toss up with a number of high contenders jostling for a shot to face the unbeaten Inoue. Different high contenders are former unified world titleholder Murodjon Akhmadaliev, unbeaten Sam Goodman, former world title challenger Luis Nery, and former world titleholder TJ Doheny, who will face Inoue on Tuesday.
Pierce has been pushing for a struggle in opposition to a high contender at 122 kilos, however is satisfied nobody within the division is healthier than him.
“I consider I’m the very best 122-pound fighter on the planet,” mentioned Pierce. “Little doubt in my thoughts. I might not be the champ but. And I’m large on the phrase ‘but.’ I’ve to proceed to place within the work and keep centered. It’ll occur. I’m positive it’s going to occur quickly. I’ve to proceed to work arduous and be affected person. When it comes to the pure skill-set I’ve, the mindframe that I’ve, no one is ready to cope with all of the attributes I actually possess. I’m keen to point out them. I haven’t been put ready to point out them as a lot as I can. That’s most likely one other factor I’ve needed to be taught. “
“Typically you need to know when and the place to play your playing cards. It’s important to know when to do sure issues. Typically you need to exit on a limb and do it. All these little issues play an element and I look to them after every struggle and assess. What may I add to make myself that rather more of a spectacle within the sport? What can I do higher? What ought to I give attention to extra? I feel this struggle shall be an ideal instance of that. I sort of went exterior myself slightly bit extra. I’ve accomplished extra private work myself for Sanmartin. I just about know from a private standpoint what he’s bringing and what he can do. I’ve damaged him down and I’m very excited to showcase what Elijah Pierce can do (Friday).”
Tonight will mark Pierce’s third struggle beneath the Additional time Boxing/ OTX banner. All their struggle playing cards to date have streamed on DAZN, offering a platform for Pierce and different unbeaten fighters and contenders to showcase their abilities.
Having beforehand fought on just a few membership exhibits in recent times, Pierce is grateful for the chance to struggle on these OTX platforms, permitting him to be uncovered to struggle followers.
Pierce is assured a world title shot is on the horizon. He hopes to get entangled in philanthropy work and getting concerned in neighborhood tasks exterior the ring as soon as he turns into a world titleholder. That world title alternative, in line with Pierce, is on the horizon, after an extended journey the place he’s now a contender.
“OTX has been nothing however gracious. The final managers and many of the guys managing and doing the operational work, we’ve gotten actually shut. I like what they’re doing. I like how they promote me. The whole lot has occurred organically. It’s an honor, for my part, to be the face of an organization that’s ongoing and new as a result of they’re within the highlight. I’m grateful to deliver a unique kind of consideration to the corporate. I feel OTX has been a match for me. I’m blessed to have this partnership with them. I’m simply wanting ahead to persevering with holding that candle for OTX. They’ve accomplished an awesome job so far as being behind me.
“I’m wanting ahead to what’s subsequent. We’re virtually there, being ranked No. 3 (by the WBA). After this struggle, we may very well be ranked No. 2. We hope to struggle in an elimination struggle subsequent, and probably in a world title alternative someday subsequent yr. It doesn’t get any higher than that. I’d like to be OTX’s first world champion and convey a title to the corporate.
“I simply have a look at it as one other milestone in my journey to a world title. That is what it’s been all about. I wish to be a world champion.”
Francisco A. Salazar has written for The Ring since October 2013 and has coated boxing in Southern California and overseas since 2000. Francisco additionally covers boxing for the Ventura County (California) Star newspaper. He might be reached at [email protected]
