Elijah Pierce. (Photograph by Adam Hagy/OTX)
Life classes, out and in of the ring, have molded Elijah Pierce into the fighter he’s right this moment.
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 Extra time Elite Area in Atlanta, Georgia. The ten-round bout will headline a five-bout Chilly Summa card that can stream stay 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 shouldn’t have completed and acknowledges has made him higher in making ready for opponents.
“It was one other humbling expertise,” Pierce instructed 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 companion. We didn’t know he was a three-time world title challenger till after the combat. So these are the issues that have been essential. He wasn’t only a slouch. He wasn’t somebody to be ignored. He was truly anyone powerful and tough who had a persevering nature to combat, in addition to the shortage of expertise.
“On the finish of the day, hats off to him. He introduced out that different facet of me. It woke me up. Trying ahead to this combat, I’m on my A-game. I’ll be on my A-game as a result of it was a kind of classes I needed to study. We’re not there but. Now we have to remain sharp always.”
The 27-year-old was initially scheduled to face Sanmartin (35-8-1, 21 KOs) of Colombia earlier this 12 months, however the combat was rescheduled to tonight. Pierce has had a resurgence over the past couple of years, having received his final 10 bouts since dropping by majority determination to fringe featherweight contender Sulaiman Segawa in September 2019.
Pierce’s different defeat as a professional got here in June 2018, dropping by unanimous determination 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.
“Shedding these fights, truly, the primary loss was to a man who was truly a light-weight,” stated Pierce, who’s co-managed by Trifon Petrov and Jessie Tanksley. “The second loss was on account of private points. I (solely) educated for 2 weeks for that combat. That was towards a man I might simply beat. I misplaced to him by majority determination, once more coaching on two weeks’ discover. It was one other studying lesson. You possibly can’t count on to be sound within the ring in the event you’re not sound upstairs. As soon as I gained data and had the best group behind me, the place they instructed me to drop down and combat at 122 kilos as a result of I used to be not reducing weight correctly. I used to be not consuming proper. I used to be going via numerous rising pains I needed to undergo.
“As soon as I obtained the required perception, issues round me began to considerably enhance after that. I’ve all the time been blessed with God-given capability. Energy, velocity, 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 right this moment. I’m nonetheless untapped and haven’t proven who I actually am to the world. I’m an individual who doesn’t overcompensate. I prefer to assess the combat by what’s obligatory. Quite a lot of the time, I’ve crushed 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 expertise till it’s time to convey them out.”
After Inoue, the 122-pound division is a toss up with a number of prime contenders jostling for a shot to face the unbeaten Inoue. Different prime 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 combat towards a prime contender at 122 kilos, however is satisfied nobody within the division is best than him.
“I imagine I’m the very best 122-pound fighter on this planet,” stated Pierce. “Little doubt in my thoughts. I might not be the champ but. And I’m huge on the phrase ‘but.’ I’ve to proceed to place within the work and keep targeted. It would occur. I’m positive it should occur quickly. I’ve to proceed to work onerous and be affected person. By way of 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 in all probability one other factor I’ve needed to study. “
“Generally you need to know when and the place to play your playing cards. You need to know when to do sure issues. Generally you need to exit on a limb and do it. All these little issues play an element and I look to them after every combat and assess. What might I add to make myself that rather more of a spectacle within the sport? What can I do higher? What ought to I deal with extra? I believe this combat shall be an ideal instance of that. I sort of went outdoors myself just a little bit extra. I’ve completed 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 combat beneath the Extra time Boxing/ OTX banner. All their combat playing cards to date have streamed on DAZN, offering a platform for Pierce and different unbeaten fighters and contenders to showcase their skills.
Having beforehand fought on a couple of membership exhibits lately, Pierce is grateful for the chance to combat on these OTX platforms, permitting him to be uncovered to combat 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 initiatives outdoors the ring as soon as he turns into a world titleholder. That world title alternative, in line with Pierce, is on the horizon, after a protracted journey the place he’s now a contender.
“OTX has been nothing however gracious. The overall 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. Every part 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 convey a special sort of consideration to the corporate. I believe 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 completed an incredible 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 combat, we might be ranked No. 2. We hope to combat in an elimination combat subsequent, and presumably in a world title alternative someday subsequent 12 months. 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 lined 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]
Observe @FSalazarBoxing
