Elijah Pierce (boxer)

Elijah Pierce
Born
Elijah Pierce

(1996-09-30) September 30, 1996 (age 28)
NationalityAmerican
Other names
  • The WXXXLF
  • The Wolf
Statistics
Weight(s)
Height1.73
StanceSouthpaw
Boxing record
Total fights22
Wins20
Wins by KO16
Losses2

Elijah Pierce (born September 30, 1996) is an American super bantamweight division contender and professional boxer.

Amateur career

Pierce, born in Midwest City, Oklahoma, fought in regional championships at the United States as an amateur, he gained victories against a handful of boxers such as former World Boxing Association (WBA) super lightweight champion Rolando Romero, he also has plenty of losses, with the likes of Hector Tanajara Jr..[1] He also fondly recalls a rivalry with top prospect Bruce Carrington in an interview.[1][2]

Professional career

Early years

On July 23, 2016, Pierce began his professional career as a lightweight and made his debut match against Deartie Tucker in Remington Park, Oklahoma City. In the fight, Tucker weighed 139 pounds (63.05 kilograms), whilst Pierce weighed 5 pounds (2.27 kilograms) lighter, Pierce won via 1st round TKO, finishing the bout within 2 minutes and 49 seconds.[3]

Pierce moved down to the super featherweight division in his third bout against debutant Xavier Siller, Pierce won via third round TKO. Pierce returned to the lightweight division against journeyman Anthony Dave he would move back to the lightweight division in a victory against journeyman Anthony Dave, Pierce won via second-round KO, on his next bout, however, Pierce moved down division again defeating undefeated Mexican Calendario Alejandro Rochin.[3]

Pierce vs. Cabrera

After amassing a record of 8–0, 7 KOs, Pierce moved to the featherweight division. On June 9, 2018, Pierce gambeld his undefeated status against fellow undefeated compatriot Giovanni Cabrera at the Emerald Queen Casino located in Tacoma, Washington, Pierce concedes his first loss as Cabrera scores a 10-round unanimous decision victory.[3][4]

Pierce vs. Gonzalez

11 moths later, on May 17, 2019, Pierce was scheduled against 12–0, 9 KOs prospect Irvin Gonzalez, prior to the fight, Pierce was a +1000 underdog, Pierce proved the odds-maker wrong as scored a huge upset, dropping Gonzalez two times in the opening round en route to stopping Gonzalez in the third round.[5]

Pierce vs. Segawa

On September 28, 2019, Pierce was matched against Ugandan prospect Sulaiman Segawa, Pierce lost for the second time with a close majority decision, whilst Segawa improved to 13 wins with 2 defeats.[3][6]

After improving to 12–2, 11 KOs, Pierce fought undefeated Jesse Garcia who used to be promoted by Top Rank on June 4, 2022 in Houston, Texas, Pierce wins via 3rd round TKO.[7] Supposedly, Pierce was to fight Filipino regional challenger Joseph Ambo, however, the bout wasn't continued,[7] Pierce instead fought American Ryizeemmion Ford, Pierce won via majority decision.[3]

On October 15, 2022 in Live! Casino & Hotel, Hanover, Maryland, Pierce won the vacant WBC Silver super bantamweight title on Pierce's debut in the super bantamweight division with a second-round knockout against Washington D.C.-based Daron Williams.[8][9] On November 19, 2022, Pierce defeated veteran Juan Carlos Peña via 2nd round TKO in Oklahoma City.[10]

Rise up the ranks

Pierce vs. Williams

On April 22, 2023, Pierce was scheduled with former WBO World title-challenger Tramaine Williams for the vacant WBC Silver super bantamweight strap in a 10-rounder bout in Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, Connecticut, Pierce upsets Williams scoring a unanimous decision victory with 2 judges scoring 97–93 and 1 judge scoring 96–94.[3][11]

Pierce vs. Plania

On August 4, 2023, Pierce dueled Filipino challenger and former IBF North American champion Mike Plania to headline Overtime Elite-based Overtime Boxing (OTX) Summer Boxing Series in Overtime Elite Arena, Atlanta, Georgia.[12] After Plania being in much control of the fight, Pierce bounced back with a one-punch KO in the third round that concluded the fight.[13]

Pierce vs. Villanueva

On March 29, 2024, Pierce fought ex-ALA Promotions stalwart ring veteran Arthur Villanueva in Overtime Elite Arena, Atlanta, Georgia,[14] Pierce survived a second-round knockdown, but Pierce was able to stand up and avenged the ensuing round, eventually, Pierce stopped Villanueva in the fourth round.[15]

Pierce vs. Sanmartin

On August 30, 2024, Pierce was scheduled against Colombian veteran Jose Sanmartin for the vacant WBA Continental Americas super bantamweight title,[16] Pierce won via unanimous decision.[17]

Professional boxing record

22 fights 20 wins 2 losses
By knockout 16 0
By decision 4 2
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
22 Win 20–2 José Sanmartín UD 10 Aug 30, 2024 Overtime Elite Arena, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. Won vacant WBA Continental Americas super bantamweight title
21 Win 19–2 Arthur Villanueva TKO 4 (8), 2:57 Mar 29, 2024 Overtime Elite Arena, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
20 Win 18–2 Mike Plania KO 3 (8), 0:22 Aug 4, 2023 Overtime Elite Arena, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
19 Win 17–2 Tramaine Williams UD 10 Apr 22, 2023 Mohegan Sun Casino, Uncasville, Connecticut, U.S. Won vacant WBC Silver super bantamweight title
18 Win 16–2 Juan Carlos Peña TKO 2 (6), 2:17 Nov 19, 2022 Farmer's Market, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S.
17 Win 15–2 Daron Williams KO 2 (8), 1:43 Oct 15, 2022 Live! Casino & Hotel, Hanover, Maryland, U.S. Won vacant WBC Silver super bantamweight title
16 Win 14–2 Ryizeemmion Ford MD 6 Jun 17, 2022 Euclid Auditorium, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
15 Win 13–2 Jesse Garcia TKO 3 (8), 1:08 Jun 4, 2022 GSH Events Center, Houston, Texas, U.S.
14 Win 12–2 Luis Valdés Peña KO 1 (6), 0:39 Mar 12, 2022 Buffalo Run Casino, Miami, Oklahoma, U.S.
13 Win 11–2 Mike Fowler TKO 2 (6), 1:19 Aug 14, 2021 World Congress Center, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
12 Win 10–2 Anthony Zender TKO 2 (6), 2:50 Mar 27, 2021 Cosmopolitan Lounge, Decatur, Georgia, U.S.
11 Loss 9–2 Sulaiman Segawa MD 8 Sep 28, 2019 Buckhead Theatre, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. Lost WBC Silver featherweight title
10 Win 9–1 Irvin Gonzalez TKO 3 (8), 2:12 May 17, 2019 Foxwoods Resort Casino, Mashantucket, Connecticut, U.S. Won vacant WBC Silver featherweight title
9 Loss 8–1 Giovanni Cabrera UD 10 Jun 9, 2018 Emerald Queen Casino, Tacoma, Washington, U.S.
8 Win 8–0 Anthony Napunyi KO 4 (6), 1:10 Nov 4, 2017 Buckhead Fight Club, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
7 Win 7–0 Divante Jones RTD 3 (6), 3:00 Sep 2, 2017 Laney High School, Augusta, Georgia, U.S.
6 Win 6–0 Calendario Alejandro Rochin UD 6 May 6, 2017 Capitol Hill High School, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S.
5 Win 5–0 Anthony Dave KO 2 (4), 2:57 Apr 1, 2017 Tara Center, Jonesboro, Georgia, U.S.
4 Win 4–0 Demetrius Wilson KO 4 (4), 1:41 Feb 4, 2017 Remington Park, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S.
3 Win 3–0 Xavier Siller TKO 3 (4), 2:00 Jan 19, 2017 Criterion Event Center, Oklahoma, Oklahoma, U.S.
2 Win 2–0 Antonio Cruz TKO 4 (4), 2:40 Oct 1, 2016 Firelake Arena, Shawnee, Oklahoma, U.S.
1 Win 1–0 Deartie Tucker TKO 1 (4), 2:49 Jul 23, 2016 Remington Park, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S.

References

  1. ^ a b "BoxRec: Elijah Pierce (box-am)". boxrec.com. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  2. ^ TRU SCHOOL SPORTS (January 1, 2024). "ELIJAH PIERCE FONDLY RECALLS AMATEUR RIVALRY WITH BRUCE CARRINGTON". youtube.com. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d e f "BoxRec: Elijah Pierce (box-pro)". boxrec.com. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  4. ^ Ketelle, Lucas (July 2, 2024). "Giovanni Cabrera Q&A: I'm gonna make it tricky for William Zepeda". boxingscene.com. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  5. ^ Christ, Scott (May 17, 2019). "Broadway Boxing results: Mykquan Williams wins main event, Elijah Pierce upsets Irvin Gonzalez". badlefthook.com. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  6. ^ Greisman, David (August 27, 2024). "Bruce Carrington Talks Sulaiman Segawa, Angelo Leo, Rafael Espinoza and Naoua Inoue". boxingscene.com. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  7. ^ a b "Pierce destroys Garcia in the Main Event in Houston". philboxing.com. June 8, 2022. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  8. ^ RANDOM HITS (October 13, 2022). "Elijah Pierce vs. Daron Williams For WBC Silver at Live Casino Hotel Maryland". boxingscene.com. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  9. ^ RANDOM HITS (October 18, 2022). "Elijah Pierce Blasts Out Daron Williams For WBC Regional Title". boxingscene.com. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  10. ^ Gracia, Felix (November 22, 2022). "ELIJAH PIERCE STOPS JUAN CARLOS PENA IN TWO ROUNDS". itrboxing.com. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  11. ^ Abrams, Marc (April 23, 2024). "Pierce upsets Williams, Booker silences Aduku as both capture vacant WBC championships Saturday night at Mohegan Sun Arena". 15rounds.com. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  12. ^ Parekh, Anish (August 4, 2023). "Top super-bantamweught prospect Elijah Pierce faces Mike Plania on OTX Summer Boxing Series". britishboxingnews.co.uk. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  13. ^ Akopyan, Manouk (August 4, 2023). "Overtime Boxing (OTX) Results: Elijah Pierce Stuns Mike Plania With One-Punch KO". boxingscene.com. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  14. ^ Rosal, Glendale G. (March 21, 2024). "Villanueva retuns to US for fight vs Pierce". cebudailynews.inquirer.net. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  15. ^ Rosal, Glendale G. (March 30, 2024). "Villanueva decks American foe, but losses via 4th round stoppage". cebudailynews.inquirer.net. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  16. ^ Milano, Jesús (August 27, 2024). "Pierce vs. Sanmartin on Friday in Atlanta". wbaboxing.com. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  17. ^ Ketelle, Lucas (August 31, 2024). "Elijah Pierce digs deep, decisions Jose Sanmartin on OTX Boxing 10". boxingscene.com. Retrieved November 15, 2024.