Boxing’s Forgotten Champions: David 'Bomber' Pearce
For this written series, exploring the history of some of Boxing's 'forgotten' champions of the past, I felt compelled to write about one of Wales' most well-loved fighters to ever grace the squared circle, David 'Bomber' Pearce.
David Pearce was born in Pill, Newport, in 1959. He trained as a professional boxer at St. Joseph's Boxing Gym, the same gym that produced Featherweight Champion Lee Selby and many others. However, Pearce was never lucky enough to win a World Title in his short but impressive career.
Lovingly referred to as 'The Welsh Rocky', Pearce competed in the Heavyweight division between 1978 and 1984, crucially fighting before the BBBofC recognised the Cruiserweight division. This weight class would have been much more suited to the Newport legend who held a record of 17-4-1.
Despite this 'Bomber' won both the British and Welsh Heavyweight Titles, fighting for the EBU European and holding the No.1 WBC Rankings at Cruiserweight between 1983 and 1985. Sadly, Pearce's career was cut short by a brain abnormality discovered following his European Title Fight, tragically dying at the age of just 41 in 2000.
David won each of his first nine fights as a professional between 1978 and 1979, picking up his first loss against the experienced Welsh Champion Neville Meade, who weighed an additional 37 lbs to Pearce. And it was back-to-back losses for The Welsh Rocky, after being disqualified for hitting Heavyweight John Rafferty whilst on the floor.
This was far from the end for Pearce however, who picked himself up and went on to win a further five straight contests, with notable victories against a future British and World Title holder in Dennis Andries and a British Title final eliminator against Gordon Ferris. A draw and a technical knockout victory lay between this eliminator and Pearce's eventual shot at the Lonsdale belt.
And who else to face off against for this prestigious title than Neville Meade, the man who had handed the Welshman his only real loss forty-four months prior. Pearce made no mistake in what was the final British Title fight to be fought over 15 rounds, having been signed before the new twelve-round rule. Only nine were required for the Newport local to get the job done via technical knockout.
This, unfortunately, was the start of a run of misfortune for The Welsh Rocky, who after a TKO victory following the British Title success, found himself in an EBU European Title fight against Frenchman Lucien Rodriguez. Whilst this would sound like a great opportunity on paper it would prove to be otherwise with a series of unfortunate events.
Firstly it was after this fight that Pearce was diagnosed with an abnormality in his brain which eventually retired the Newport native, unable then to fight in the UK after losing his BBBofC licence. But also without a hotel booked for the fight by the promoter, the Welshman ended up sleeping on a park bench prior to the fight, an unimaginable circumstance today.
In the ring, Pearce dropped Rodriguez on two occasions, with it noted that the Frenchman was given long-standing counts on the night. Pearce lost a controversial decision, with it revealed that no belt was even present in the venue for if 'Bomber' had got the decision.
Following this fight Pearce was forced to retire in 1984 due to his brain condition, unable to get a license to fight. A fight with legendary Buster Douglas was pulled on three hours notice due to the brain condition and Pearce was stripped of his British Title, through only a decision made at the BBBofC headquarters rather than in the ring.
Despite a career ultimately marred by misfortune and under-achievement, through no fault of his own, David 'Bomber' Pearce is widely recognised as a true Newport legend, and one that if he had fought today would have no doubt been a major British superstar. Dying in 2000, Pearce's funeral was attended by around 2000 people, proving the lasting memory he had on his community.
Today Pearce's legacy is lived on by a bronze statue situated on the edge of the River Usk in Newport, opposite the Friar's Walk Shopping Centre. As well as a charity registered under his name The David “Bomber” Pearce Legacy to help maximise the advancement of local sport in South Wales.