Pierce scored a third-round stoppage over the beforehand unbeaten Jesse Garcia in June 2022. (Picture through Abrams Boxing)
Elijah Pierce doesn’t put an excessive amount of emphasis on his two defeats.
In his thoughts, he’s nonetheless unbeaten at 122 kilos, the place is rated No. 9 by The Ring.
The streaking contender is keen to exhibit why the division should undergo him when he faces Arthur Villanueva. Their scheduled ten-round bout headlines an Additional time Elite (OTX) present Friday on the Additional time Elite Enviornment in Atlanta, Georgia.
“I can’t say quite a bit about Villanueva that stands out stylistically,” Pierce informed The Ring. “He’s one of many extra skilled fighters that I’ve confronted, based mostly on his report.
“Apart from that, he’s one other opponent standing in my manner. Standing in my path of greatness, achievement, and aim of being a world champion.”
Pierce (18-2, 15 knockouts) tipped the scales at 121.8 kilos throughout Thursday’s official weigh-in. Villanueva (35-4-1, 20 KOs) got here in at 122.8 kilos. DAZN will air the present Friday starting at 8:00 p.m. ET/5:00 p.m. PT.
The bout marks a return to the OTX stage for Pierce, who made a splash in his earlier outing. The locally-based 27-year-old—from Midwest Metropolis, Oklahoma —knocked out former contender Mike Plania within the third spherical of their August 4 bout on this very area.
Pierce will face one other Filipino struggle in Villanueva, two-time former world title challenger. There was not any hesitation to affix forces as soon as once more with OTX given his profile increase after his final struggle.
A win on Friday places him on a path in the direction of a shot at a significant title.
“Additional time is doing stuff that’s refreshing, like extra selling,” mentioned Pierce. “I had numerous optimistic (experiences from) my final struggle there. I’m a fighter who wanted to be identified by the lots, additional. It’s an enormous assist that their struggle playing cards are streamed on DAZN. That’s what attracted me to them.”
Pierce has gained his final 9 bouts, together with an April 22 victory over former world title challenger Tramaine Williams. Pierce additionally has wins over Daron Williams, Ryizeemmion Ford, and Jesse Garcia.
The 2 losses Pierce suffered got here in opposition to Sulaiman Segawa and Giovanni Cabrera, each at featherweight. Pierce acknowledged the defeats however explains individuals have no idea concerning the private struggles he was going by means of on the time.
It additionally illustrates how he can overcome something and nonetheless achieve success.
“I’ve been on a steady path to show that I’m the very best 122-pound fighter on this planet,” mentioned Pierce, who’s co-managed by Trifon Petrov and Jessie Tanksley. “It doesn’t matter who they put in entrance of me. It’s going to be the identical destiny for them. My talent set, I will be technical, when want be. I will be aggressive when want be. And I can get the knockout. I’ve the punching energy to cease the more-aggressive, come-forward opponents. On the finish of the day, I’m a large number of issues. I’m the ‘wolf.’
“My two losses taught me to be resilient. They taught me to by no means surrender and keep on the trail that God has set for me. I went by means of numerous classes throughout these instances. A number of them have been private. On the finish of the day, I proceed to try. I feel that’s the place numerous the ‘wolf’ mentality comes from. That starvation for achievement. That’s the motto that I proceed to make use of. These two losses don’t outline me. I do know these two losses occurred on account of private circumstances, not as a result of my opponents have been higher than me.”
After the Villanueva struggle, Pierce believes he’s greater than able to face the higher echelon of the division. He hopes for a struggle in opposition to Ring Journal and undisputed champion Naoya Inoue, however, realistically, is assured he can land a struggle in opposition to one other high contender within the division.
“I wish to problem (Naoya) Inoue,” mentioned Pierce, who’s educated by his father Andy and Alain Felipe. “He’s the highest canine of the load class. If he finally ends up vacating, If he goes as much as 126 (kilos), I’ll face whoever it’s to get a (world title) belt. I will probably be a champion at 122 kilos as a result of there isn’t any one who can beat me, or match (up with) me in that weight class. I’m keen to face whoever. Ra’eese Aleem or Sam Goodman. Or anybody—I welcome all comers.
“I do imagine I’m the very best 122-pound fighter on this planet. None of those fighters have been the place I’ve been; I haven’t fought at my pure weight. I went as much as struggle one time at 135 kilos, and nonetheless executed properly. These guys have by no means fought exterior the load class. I’ve. That’s a testomony to the ability that I’ve. My technical expertise, my velocity, and all the things else. I’m a whole fighter. And simply because I’ve two losses, they don’t outline how nice of a fighter I truly am. I’ll proceed to show that in each single struggle that I’ve. Whoever is in my manner, they’re going to get knocked out.”
Even regardless of the setbacks, Pierce’s profession has been trending upward. He’s on the verge of probably preventing a high contender, ought to he get previous Villanueva.
For Pierce, it’s not a lot he desires to win tonight. He believes he should knock out Villanueva to ship a robust message to the remainder of the junior featherweight division.
“I wish to show that I’m a dominating pressure. I’m the highest man at 122 kilos. That the highest dudes must see me. That I’m not a prospect. I do know there’s numerous concern dealing with me. I wish to show precisely why I’m the very best.”
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 will be reached at [email protected].
Comply with @FSalazarBoxing
