David Pearce (boxer)

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David Pearce
David 'Bomber' Pearce.jpeg
Pearce in 1983
Statistics
Nickname(s)Bomber Pearce, Welsh Rocky
Weight(s)Heavyweight
Cruiserweight
Height5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
NationalityWelsh
Born(1959-05-08)8 May 1959
Pillgwenlly, Newport, Monmouthshire, UK
Died20 May 2000(2000-05-20) (aged 41)
StanceOrthodox
WebsiteTribute website

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.[1] 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.[2]

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."[3] Around 2,500 people attended his funeral in Newport at Stow Hill Cemetery.[4]

Boxing career achievements[]

British Heavyweight Title, 1983
  • Pearce won the Welsh and British heavyweight boxing titles in September 1983.[5]
  • Pearce challenged for the prestigious EBU European heavyweight title against Felipe Rodriguez and Lucien Rodriguez.[6]
  • Pearce was ranked as high as number seven in the WBA Heavyweight World rankings before his career was cut short.[7]
  • Pearce was ranked number one in the WBC Cruiserweight Rankings after the Victory over Michael "Jack" Johnson in 1984.[8]
  • Pearce was due to fight Buster Douglas in Columbus, Ohio, USA but was pulled out whilst warming up in the changing room on 3 hrs notice , replaced Pearce.[9]
  • Pearce's match against Leon Spinks was called off and a new opponent found at 24 hours notice, even though contracts had been signed.[10]
  • Pearce was medically retired in 1984, at the age of 24. This was something he disputed, until after his last semi - Professional boxing bout in 1994. The reason for the dispute was David had been given a clean bill of health and a confirmation letter from a Harley Street Neurologist Consultant stating, "He was at no greater risk, than any other professional boxer"
  • Pearce came 2nd in the BBC Wales Sports Personality of the Year in 1983.[11]
  • Steve Lillis, boxing journalist and co-presenter of Box-Nation, voted David 'Bomber' Pearce in his Top Ten most underrated British boxing champions (Lonsdale Belt Holders) of all time.[12]

British Heavyweight Title[]

  • Pearce suffered two setbacks on his road to the British title. A loss to Neville Meade when still only 20 and to John Rafferty. Pearce had knocked down Rafferty four times before he was disqualified in the 3rd round for punching after the referee had called break.
  • Pearce fought and stopped Dennis Andries, the three times WBC world light heavyweight world champion, in the 7th round. Dennis Andries went 6 years before being stopped again, this time by Thomas Hearns in the 10th round.[13]
  • Pearce, challenged and vowed to avenge his loss to Neville Meade to win the Welsh and British Heavyweight titles.[6]
  • Pearce won the Welsh and British Heavyweight Boxing Titles in September 1983 at the St David's Hall against Commonwealth Gold Medalist and British Heavyweight Champion Neville Meade; Although the Welsh Title was won on the night, the title had to be relinquished by Pearce, due to his commitments of becoming British Heavyweight Champion.[5]
  • Pearce is noted for boxing in the last 15-round British championship bout, as the contracts for the bout were finalised before the new 12-round format was introduced.[8]

European Heavyweight Title (EBU)[]

  • David Pearce earned a draw with Felipe Rodriquez whilst fighting the EBU Heavyweight Title challenger.
  • Pearce secured a fight for the European Heavyweight Title against Lucien Rodriguez who had won 14 of his last 15 fights after earning the number one EBU ranking.[14]
  • Pearce was one boxing referee decision away from being mandatory to fight Larry Holmes for the WBC Heavyweight World title as Lucien Rodriquez had done in 1983 in Pennsylvania. In doing so Pearce would have been the first Welshman since Tommy Farr to fight for the World Heavyweight title.

Unsanctioned bouts[]

Pearce won 2 (2 KO) of his 3 unlicensed bouts, losing one due to poor preparation and 6 1/2 years out of the ring. Pearce took a fight with Percell Davis 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.[15]

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 David Pearce's first bout back to the United States, he knocked out in 1 round and in the second bout he deferred the former heavyweight World champion John Tate in 3 rounds respectively, the unsanctioned bouts took place in Bakersfield, California in 1994. This was reported by Mr John Francis of the South Wales Argus and the Californian press likened Pearce to the fighter Philo Beddoe, Who was portrayed in Every Which Way but Loose and .[16]

Other notable boxing facts[]

  • Pearce ran up the steps of the Newport Transporter Bridge as a training aid.
  • Pearce gave away at least 2 stone (28 lb; 13 kg) to most opponents during his career.[17]
  • Pearce weighed exactly the same weight as Johnny Nelson when he fought Dennis Andries, Pearce's KO of Dennis Andries was 15 years earlier.[13]
  • Pearce won two Heavyweight Prizefighter Tournaments during his career.[18]
  • Pearce sparred 20 rounds with Commonwealth Heavyweight Champion Trevor Berbick in the lead up to Pearce's British Heavyweight Title fight. This included a knockdown of Berbick in 1983, Pearce was Trevor Berbick’s number one challenger to the Commonwealth Heavyweight title. Berbick decided not to defend his title against David Pearce.[19]
  • Joe Bugner was floored by David Pearce during a sparring session, before a possible bout with Pearce for his comeback fight. This resulted in Bugner choosing another opponent.[20]
  • Pearce sparred with Lennox Lewis, in the lead up to Lewis becoming British Heavyweight Champion on 10 Jul 1991.[20]
  • Pearce retired due to an abnormality on the brain something he was born with, he was subsequently offered a contract to fight Lenny McLean, the guvnor in a Heavyweight Unlicensed British title fight, David signed the contract but Lenny McLean declined to fight Pearce.
  • Bartley Gorman offered to fight David Pearce, for the unlicensed British Heavyweight Title for £25,000. Gorman had huge respect for Pearce and believed him to be the best fighting man in Great Britain at the time. Gorman, said if he had won the fight he would have fought for the world bare knuckle title. In his memoirs of an undefeated Bare Knuckle Champion of Great Britain and Ireland, "King of the Gypsies" that Gorman used the phrase "if he won.."[21]
  • David Pearce was good friends with Diana Dors and Alan Lake, who supported him in his 1st rd KO victory over 3 time European Heavyweight titlist Albert Syben
  • Sportswriter Harry Mullan was derogatory about Pearce's size for the Heavyweight division in some of his articles, this had a negative effect at the time. Mullan did praise Pearce in later years, for his bravery and achievements. Harry always maintained David Pearce would have been World Champion in the Cruiserweight division.[22]

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.

  • "Pearce is all action, he is a great crowd pleaser, he comes in flinging punches, cross armed in defence a lot like Rocky Marciano used to and boy does he throw them" "He certainly does unleash them" "He is a born fighter" – Reg Gutteridge – During the Felipe Rodriquez, fight at the Royal Albert Hall, London.[23]
  • "Pearce has won the fight and Pearce has gone berserk, he can hardly believe it!" "23-year-old David Pearce,the Bomber they call him from Newport and he has bombed ferris out of the British heavyweight race!" "Well that was one of the most savagely, raw, attacking performances we have seen from a British Heavyweight in many years. That's a little bit like the old days of Dick Richardson and he came from Newport too"! – Reg Gutteridge. Post - David Pearce Final eliminator at the Royal Albert Hall, London.[24][25]
  • "I have never trained so hard in all my life. That was for my father, the people of Newport and also for myself". – Pearce, after his British Heavyweight Title fight at St David's Hall, Cardiff.[25]
  • "Pearce won the European Heavyweight Title twice last night" in reference to the two long counts (13 & 17 seconds)[26] Reg Gutteridge reporting on the European Heavyweight Title fight the next day.
  • The late Sir Henry Cooper said whilst talking to Reg Gutteridge "the left hook Pearce knocked out Albert Syben (three time European Heavyweight title challenger) with would have knocked out anyone in World boxing"
  • Frank Maloney said of Pearce: "They dont make them like him anymore! Pearce would have fought anybody"![27]
  • Lucien Rodriguez said: "Pearce did what two Heavyweight World Champions couldn’t do" In reference to not being knocked out in his fights with Larry Holmes and Michael Dokes.[28]
  • "David Pearce was the most ferocious fighter in the United Kingdom in the late 70's early 80's. No one wanted to fight him!"[29]
  • Dick Richardson said: "David should have gone to London, he would have been a superstar. He is the most exciting heavyweight we have seen in many years".[25]
  • Albert Syben, said of David Pearce in later years when recalling their fight "Pearce was the white Tyson".
  • Michael Dokes named David Pearce "The Welsh Jack Dempsey" whilst sparring under the tutelage of Angelo Dundee.[30]
  • Bimbo Pearce said of his brother: "He would have been unstoppable at cruiserweight".[31]
  • Eddie Avoth described Pearce as: "One of the greatest Welsh fighters we have produced".[31]
  • Robbie Regan said: "He was the most avoided fighter in the heavyweight division".[31]
  • Steve Sims said: "What a left hook! He is sorely missed and Newport’s own Rocky".[31]
  • Andy Gerrard said: "his power was truly unbelievable, he was a pound for pound king in his own time. For me he was the biggest puncher in Welsh boxing history".[31]
  • "Dave Pearce was a legend, a true hard fighting man!" Charles Bronson.[32]
  • Craig Kennedy British Cruiserweight title challenger said "David Pearce is an absolute inspiration, I just wish I got to meet him".
  • Lee Selby IBF World Featherweight Champion said "David Pearce was one hell of a fighter".[33]
  • Johnny Nelson, former WBO Cruiserweight World Champion, said "Thank god he wasn't around when I was World champion, he was a right handful" Nelson also said "Pearce was ahead of his time" - In reference to the Cruiserweight division being active in the United States and not being active in the United Kingdom.[34]
  • Spencer Fearon said "David Pearce was a fantastic warrior, he was so rugged and powerful".[34]
  • Steve Bunce said "In any other era David Pearce would have been a star."[34] "If the European Heavyweight title fight had been in London or Cardiff, Pearce would have been champion".
  • Welsh boxing historian Gareth Jones said "In my opinion David Pearce would have been dominant in the Cruiserweight division very similar to how David Haye was with the ability to move up due to his World Class durability and punching power".[35]
  • Frank Warren said "He boxed an american for me and drew for the European Heavyweight title against Felipe Rodriguez, the panther at the Royal Albert Hall, David was a tough, hard, welshman and a nice guy".[30]

Professional boxing record / Unsanctioned bouts[]

19 Wins (15 knockouts, 4 decisions), 4 Losses (2 knockouts, 2 decisions), 1 Draw[36]
Result Record Opponent Type Round Date Location Notes
Win 34-3 United States John Tate TKO 3 10 June 1994 California Hilton Hotel, Bakersfield, California, United States Unsanctioned Bout.
Win 16-6 Finland Mary Konate TKO 1 12 April 1994 California Hilton Hotel, Bakersfield, California, United States Unsanctioned Bout.
Loss 13-9 United States Percell Davis TKO 8 10 December 1990 Michigan Hyatt Regency Hotel, Dearborn, Michigan, United States Unsanctioned Bout

Pearce took the fight on 2 days notice.

Loss 36-8-1 France Lucien Rodriguez PTS 12 30 March 1984 France Palais des Sports de Beaublanc, Limoges, Haute-Vienne, France EBU Heavyweight Title.

Rodriguez took standing 8 count in round 3, and dropped heavily twice in round 8.

Win 11-2 United States Michael Johnson TKO 5 28 January 1984 England Victoria Hall, Hanley, Staffordshire, United Kingdom Johnson hurt from uppercut and turned his back to retire.
Win 20-12-1 Wales Neville Meade TKO 9 22 September 1983 Wales St David's Hall, Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom BBBofC Wales Heavyweight Title.

BBBofC British Heavyweight Title.

Referee stopped the bout at 2:57 of round 9.

Win 35-4-2 Belgium Albert Syben KO 1 7 April 1983 England Lyceum Ballroom, The Strand, London, United Kingdom Syben knocked out at 2:25 of the first round.
Draw 24-5-3 Spain Felipe Rodriquez PTS 10 7 December 1982 England Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, London, United Kingdom Vacant EBU Heavyweight Title.

98-98.

Win 20-5 Northern Ireland Gordon Ferris KO 5 1 June 1982 England Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, London, United Kingdom BBBofC British Heavyweight Title Eliminator. Final Eliminator for BBBofC British Heavyweight Title; Ferris down in round 3 and stopped in round 5 failed to meet the count at 1:44 of the fifth round.
Win 13-4-1 United Kingdom Dennis Andries TKO 7 12 October 1981 England Bloomsbury Centre Hotel, Bloomsbury, London, United Kingdom Andries heavily down in Rd 6, from an uppercut. Down twice in Rd 7 before Referee stopped the bout at 2:15 of the seventh round.
Win 15-9 United Kingdom Ishaq Hussein TKO 1 8 June 1981 England Porter Tun Rooms, Moorgate, United Kingdom time: 2:03 Ref Stopped Fight on 2nd Knock Down.
Win 4-0 United Kingdom Larry McDonald KO 3 16 March 1981 England National Sporting Club, Piccadilly, London, United Kingdom Mcdonald down heavily in the third from a left hook to the body.
Win 15-27-1 Wales Bonny McKenzie PTS 8 2 March 1981 England National Sporting Club, Piccadilly, London, United Kingdom 79.5-78.5.
loss 2-1 Scotland John Rafferty DQ 3 26 January 1981 Scotland St.Andrew's Sporting Club, Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom Pearce disqualified at 1:32 of the third round due to hitting a downed opponent, Rafferty down 4 times before the DQ. The decision was disputed through the official channels via Pearce's trainer and promoter
Loss 14-11-1 Wales Neville Meade TKO 2 22 January 1980 Wales Double Diamond Club, Caerphilly, United Kingdom BBBofC Wales Heavyweight Title.

Referee stopped the bout at 2:48 of the second round.

Win 8-3 United Kingdom Denton Ruddock TKO 7 30 October 1979 Wales Double Diamond Club, Caerphilly, United Kingdom
Win 8-12 United Kingdom Theo Josephs TKO 3 5 July 1979 Wales Afan Lido, Port Talbot, United Kingdom time: 2:35 of Rd 2 Josephs was down in the third.
Win 7-3 Wales Winston Allen PTS 6 3 April 1979 Wales Caerphilly, United Kingdom £1000 Heavyweight Competition Final.

58½-59½, Allen was down in the fourth.

Win 11-14 Wales Bonny McKenzie PTS 8 19 February 1979 England Mayfair Sporting Club, Mayfair, London, United Kingdom McKenzie down in sixth and seventh. 79-78.
Win 1-0-1 United Kingdom Mal Tetley KO 1 22 January 1979 England Mayfair, London, United Kingdom £2000 Heavyweight competition semi final.

time 0:15 of Rd 1.

Win 4-3 United Kingdom Bobby Hennessey TKO 2 22 January 1979 England Mayfair, London, United Kingdom £2000 Heavyweight Competition Final.
Win 6-10 United Kingdom Theo Josephs PTS 8 11 December 1978 Devon Plymouth, Devon, United Kingdom 79-78.
Win 0-1 United Kingdom Bob Bleau KO 1 1 December 1978 Kent Minster-in-Thanet, United Kingdom KO time: 0:50.
Win -- United Kingdom Osborne Taylor TKO 1 15 November 1978 Wales Merthyr Tydfil, Wales, United Kingdom £1,000 heavyweight competition semi final.

time: 0:38 of Rd 1.

[17]

Pearce Brothers[]

  • Walter 'Bimbo' Pearce the eldest boy of Wally Pearce was a professional boxer, Bimbo won 5 amateur titles from Light Welterweight to Heavyweight including beating 4 British champions in bouts during the ABA exile. In over 122 bouts as a schoolboy, junior, and senior including representing Wales on multiple occasions before turning professional. He fought international opponents Andrew Bonniface, Trevor Kerr, Gary Blanks, Trevor Lewis, Steve Symons, Cliff Fields, Philip Gethin and Mike Pembridge. Bimbo claimed the WABA Heavyweight title in 1973 at the age of 19 and defeated the professional Light Heavyweight Central Champion also in the same year.[37]
  • Raymond Pearce, a middleweight who notably fought Winston Burnett, and the future three times WBC world Light Heavyweight champion Dennis Andries.[38] A United States citizen, he worked as an Elvis impersonator across the world[39] and died, on the 1 January 2022, in Minnesota, United States.[40]
  • Gary Pearce had thirty one professional bouts, including winning the Welsh Area Super Welterweight title and facing Hans Henrick-Palm the World number 5 in Randers, Denmark in 1981.[41]
  • Ronald Pearce fought Paul Wetter and Robert Smith the now BBBoC General secretary.[42]
  • Nigel Pearce had five fights as a professional boxer.
  • Simon Pearce the seventh brother graduated from Italia Conti and subsequently went on to star in Starlight Express, Cats, les miserables and Mousetrap musicals in the West End.

Legacy[]

  • "The Welsh Rocky" website promotes Welsh boxers and explains the charitable work that the charity conduct in the community.[43]
  • A BBC documentary, Bomber: Newport’s Rocky, part of the BBC Wales documentary series Mavericks: Sport’s Lost Heroes was commissioned in 2020 and documents Pearce's talent and life.[44]
  • Pearce has been name-checked in a number of books, including Diana Dors' A-Z of Men, Bartley Gorman and Peter Walsh's King of the Gypsies and Leighton Frayne's The Frayne Brothers. Paddy Monaghan's "The Sunshine in my life". "Paul Sykes in Final Agony" by Jamie Boyle."Unlicensed - who's the guv'nor" by Joseph A Pyle.[45][46]
  • Boxing News, the UK's biggest boxing magazine, wrote an article about the campaign for a Pearce statue,[47] and in 2016 The David 'Bomber' Pearce Statue Fund was given permission to erect a bronze sculpture to commemorate Pearce in Newport City Centre.[48] On 9 June 2018 a life-sized sculpture of Pearce, by Laury Dizengremel, was unveiled at Newport riverfront.[49]

Gallery[]

  • Pearce aged 3

  • David 'Bomber' Pearce

  • St Josephs Amateur Boxing Club, George Street, Newport

  • Boxing contract

  • Bimbo Pearce defeating the Central Light-Heavyweight Champion

  • Pearce at Newport County AFC

  • Pearce turning professional

  • Oil painting of Pearce

  • Sculpture near Riverfront, Newport

  • Dedication plaque for sculpture

  • Sculpture near Riverfront, Newport

References[]

  1. ^ "The Newport Rocky: The Best British Boxer You've Never Heard of". 4 September 2020.
  2. ^ Limited, Alamy. "Stock Photo - From a Fighting Family". Alamy.
  3. ^ "Pontypool RFC boss slams Newport MP's 'misguided view' over dangers of concussion in rugby and boxing". southwalesargus.co.uk. Retrieved 14 January 2017.
  4. ^ Martin Wade (3 September 2016). "The Long View: The Newport boxing great who came close to the top and was dubbed the city's own 'Rocky'". southwalesargus.co.uk. Retrieved 14 November 2016.
  5. ^ a b "David Pearce, British Heavyweight Champion". Johnnyowen.comBoxRec. Retrieved 18 July 2016.
  6. ^ a b "BoxRec - Lucien Rodriguez". BoxRec. Retrieved 18 July 2016.
  7. ^ "david pearce boxer - Google Search". www.google.co.uk.
  8. ^ a b "BoxRec: Login". boxrec.com.
  9. ^ "James Douglas". BoxRec. Retrieved 18 July 2016.
  10. ^ "James Douglas". BoxRec. Retrieved 18 July 2016.
  11. ^ "BBC Sport-Wales-BBC Wales Sports Personality of the Year". BBC website. BBC. 8 December 2008. Retrieved 28 October 2009.
  12. ^ "Boxing News". Boxnation.com. 13 November 2013. Retrieved 18 July 2016.
  13. ^ a b "BoxRec - Dennis Andries". BoxRec. Retrieved 18 July 2016.
  14. ^ "David Pearce". Welsh boxers. Retrieved 18 July 2016.
  15. ^ "The Newport Rocky: The Best British Boxer You've Never Heard Of". The Sportsman. 4 September 2020.
  16. ^ "Black-tie do will raise cash for statue of Newport boxing hero, David Pearce". South Wales Argus.
  17. ^ a b "David Pearce". BoxRec. Retrieved 18 July 2016.
  18. ^ "BoxRec - David Pearce". BoxRec. Retrieved 14 January 2017.
  19. ^ "Latest - Boxing News". www.boxingnewsonline.net.
  20. ^ a b South Wales Argus, 23 May 2000
  21. ^ Bartley Gorman with Peter Walsh (2016). King of the Gypsies: Memoirs of the Undefeated Bareknuckle Champion of Great Britain and Ireland. Milo Books Ltd. p. 141.
  22. ^ "John L. Gardner and Danny Mcalinden - Page 2 - BoxRec". BoxRec.
  23. ^ "davidpearcevrodriguez - YouTube". M.youtube.com. Archived from the original on 14 December 2021. Retrieved 18 July 2016.
  24. ^ "davidpearcevgordonferris - YouTube". M.youtube.com. Archived from the original on 14 December 2021. Retrieved 18 July 2016.
  25. ^ a b c BBC Archives - Past Present Future information and archives preservation services (1983).
  26. ^ BBC Archives - Past Present Future information and archives preservation services (1984
  27. ^ "Jason Booth v Jamie Arthur: Round by round | Nottingham Post". M.nottinghampost.com. 5 February 2011. Retrieved 18 July 2016.[permanent dead link]
  28. ^ "Magazine - Boxing News". Retrieved 20 November 2018.
  29. ^ "Charles Bronson wants a statue of boxing hero David Pearce built in Wales". 8 April 2017. Retrieved 20 November 2018.
  30. ^ a b Jones, Stephen (2 September 2019). "Mirage Boxing Chronicles.: Remembering the incredible life of David Pearce".
  31. ^ a b c d e "Statue appeal for Newport boxer David Pearce reaches £20,000". South Wales Argus.
  32. ^ "News from California, the nation and world". Los Angeles Times.
  33. ^ "Welsh boxing champion helps raise funds toward David 'Bomber' Pearce statue campaign". South Wales Argus. Retrieved 20 November 2018.
  34. ^ a b c "DAVID PEARCE TRIBUTE". Archived from the original on 14 December 2021 – via www.youtube.com.
  35. ^ "PressReader.com - Digital Newspaper & Magazine Subscriptions". www.pressreader.com.
  36. ^ "Marvin Camel". BoxRec. Archived from the original on 1 April 2015. Retrieved 18 July 2016.
  37. ^ "Boxer Walter Bimbo Pearce Newport". Boxinghistory.org.uk. Retrieved 18 July 2016.
  38. ^ "Ray Pearce". BoxRec. Retrieved 18 July 2016.
  39. ^ "Vacaville man finds niche as Elvis tribute artist". Dailyrepublic.com. 12 August 2012. Retrieved 18 July 2016.
  40. ^ "Family pays tribute to 'talented boxer' and 'beautiful human' Ray Pearce".
  41. ^ "Gary Pearce". BoxRec. Retrieved 18 July 2016.
  42. ^ "Ronald Pearce". BoxRec. Retrieved 18 July 2016.
  43. ^ https://welshrocky.com/
  44. ^ "Bomber: Newport's Rocky". YouTube. Archived from the original on 14 December 2021.
  45. ^ Gorman, Bartley (2011). Bareknuckle: Memoirs of the Undefeated Champion. The Overlook Press. ISBN 9781468303100.
  46. ^ "paddy monaghan book - Google Search". www.google.co.uk.
  47. ^ Alex Daley. "Campgain for "Newport's Rocky"". Retrieved 27 June 2017.
  48. ^ "Campaign launched to put up statue of Newport boxing legend David Pearce". southwalesargus.co.uk.
  49. ^ "Statue of 'Newport's Rocky' to be unveiled this weekend at entertainment-filled event". South Wales Argus.

External links[]

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