Elijah Pierce is a win away from turning into a legit contender at 122 kilos. That win must be towards a fighter who fought for a world title belt.
Pierce will face Tramaine Williams Saturday night time on the Mohegan Solar On line casino in Uncasville, Connecticut. The ten-round bout, with a regional title belt on the road, will headline a CES Boxing card and can Spectation Sports activities (7 p.m. ET/ 4 p.m. PT).
At Friday’s weigh-in, Pierce weighed in at 116.5 kilos. Williams weighed three kilos over the contracted weight of 122 kilos. Williams didn’t make weight on his second try. Williams was fined $1,000 for every pound for a complete of $3,000, which was added to Pierce’s purse.
The conflict between the hard-hitting Pierce (16-2, 14 knockouts) and Williams is a compelling combat between southpaws. The winner would turn into a significant participant in a really aggressive division.
The 26-year-old, who resides in Midwest Metropolis, Oklahoma, final fought on November 19, stopping Juan Carlos Pena of the Dominican Republic within the second spherical. The win over Pena occurred 5 weeks after Pierce knocked out Daron Williams, additionally within the second spherical.
Pierce has gained his final seven fights since a debatable majority choice loss to Sulaiman Segawa in September 2019.
His resurgence in latest months has constructed momentum to reach at this level of his profession. Pierce faces a proficient fighter in Williams (20-1, 6 KOs), who resides in close by New Haven and fought for the vacant WBO world junior featherweight title in August 2020, dropping by unanimous choice to Angelo Leo.
Regardless of the setback towards Segawa, Pierce’s group believes he has improved and may come out victorious Saturday night time.
“That is the largest combat of Elijah’s profession and he’s greater than able to benefit from the chance,” Trifon Petrov, who co-manages Pierce with Jessie Tanksley, informed The Ring Friday morning. “I’m extraordinarily assured that he’ll get a stoppage (win) over Tramaine Williams and put the division on discover.”
Tony Jeter, who promotes Pierce, added, “That is Elijah Pierce’s time to shine (and) present the world what he’s made from.”
The 30-year-old Williams defeated Jetro Pabustan by unanimous choice in his final bout on August 12. It was his first combat for the reason that loss to Leo.
Within the co-feature, junior middleweight Chordale Booker of close by Stamford will sq. off Daniel Aduku in an eight-round bout.
Booker (18-1, 7 KOs), an beginner standout, defeated Angel Hernandez by unanimous choice in his final bout on January 21. The win got here nearly 9 months after Booker was stopped within the opening spherical by Austin Williams in a conflict of unbeaten fighters.
Aduku (15-2-1, 11 KOs) gained by knockout after the tip of spherical 5, stopping Kofi Manu. Aduku, who resides in Accra, Ghana, has gained his final 5 bouts since dropping to Justice Addy in August 2018.
Arduous-hitting welterweight Anthony Velazquez (12-0, 11 KOs) of Springfield, Massachusetts will face off towards Los Angeles’ Rashid Stevens (6-1-1, 5 KOs) in a six-round bout.
Carlos Vanegas Nunez (6-0, 5 KOs) of Port Chester, New York will sq. off towards Dominique Griffin (4-3-2, 2 KOs) of Irving, Texas in a six-round bantamweight bout.
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 may be reached at [email protected]
Observe @FSalazarBoxing
