David Pearce (boxer)
David "Bomber" Pearce (8 May 1959 – 20 May 2000) was a British heavyweight boxing champion. Also known as The Welsh Rocky, Pearce held both the Welsh and the British Heavyweight titles and held the number one WBC Cruiserweight ranking from September 1983 to September 1985. In all he won 19 (15 KO) of his 22 professional bouts, losing three, with one drawn. He won two of his unlicensed bouts, losing one. Biographical details. Pearce was born in Pillgwenlly, Newport, Monmouthshire on 8 May 1959. He was one of nine children: seven brothers, six of whom boxed professionally  and one who was a professional dancer, and two sisters. His mother was a relative of Bob Fitzsimmons. He boxed out of St Josephs ABC in Pillgwenlly, Newport and coached junior and senior boxers at Alway ABC in Newport before his death. Soon after his final unsanctioned boxing fight in 1994, in California, Pearce became seriously ill, in later years developing epilepsy. There was no specific evidence that this had been brought on by repeated blows to the head, but he immediately retired from boxing on medical advice. He died 7 years later, at the age of 41, due to  SADS (Sudden Adult Death Syndrome). The "South Wales Argus" described him as "Newport's most famous boxer." Around 2,500 people attended his funeral in Newport at Stow Hill Cemetery. Unsanctioned bouts. Pearce won two (both knock outs) of his three unlicensed bouts, losing one due to poor preparation and six and a half years out of the ring. Pearce took a fight with Percell Davis of Detroit at two days notice. Although he was a shadow of his former self he still showed tremendous heart and was courageous in defeat. The referee stopped the fight in the eighth round with  Pearce still on his feet. The American TV commentators said they had not seen such bravery in a boxing ring. Pearce later had a second wind after sparring well against Lennox Lewis who was in preparation for the Lewis-Glenn McCrory fight and decided to train once more for his final comeback in California, USA. Pearce wanted to go out on a high after his unprepared previous trip to the states and trained diligently with his brother Gary Pearce. In 1994 Pearce fought in two unsanctioned bouts took place in Bakersfield, California. In his first bout he knocked out Mary  Konate in the first round and in his second he defeated the former heavyweight World champion John Tate in 3 rounds. The "South Wales Argus" and the Californian press likened Pearce to the fighter Philo Beddoe, who was portrayed in the films "Every Which Way but Loose" and "Any Which Way You Can". Notable quotes and tributes. The legacy of David "Bomber" Pearce is considered one of the greatest Uncrowned World Cruiserweight fighters of all time by many fellow boxers and boxing experts. Professional boxing record / Unsanctioned bouts. BBBofC British Heavyweight Title. <ref name="http://boxrec.com/boxer/2365"></ref> David Pearce (boxer