Pearce lands surprise Midland title shot (From Halesowen News)

Pearce lands surprise Midland title shot

11:18am Tuesday 26th February 2013 in Local Sport

STOURBRIDGE Steven Pearce has been handed a surprise shot at the Midlands Area Welterweight title.

Pearce will face Derby’s Luke Gallear at Burton Town Hall on Friday, following the withdrawal of Joel Ryan due to injury.

A chest infection has laid Ryan low, with the Walsall man unable to train for the past seven days.

After speaking to Manager and Promoter Errol Johnson last night, a decision was made to pull Ryan from the show and replace him with ‘Fierce Pearce’. 

Johnson said: “The chest infection has really knocked Joel off his feet.

“He’d been training hard and was looking good. He did 10 rounds sparring last Monday but started feeling ill the following morning.

“He went to the doctors and has been taking a course of antibiotics but he’s still bed-ridden and we just can’t risk him.

“Steven was next in line for a shot at the Midlands Area Title anyway, so it made sense to bring his opportunity forward.

“Gallear versus Pearce will be a war. Neither will take a backwards step, so the fans will be in for a real treat.”

Pearce’s last outing was at Wolverhampton Civic Hall in January when he took part in Prizefighter: The Welterweights III. It was on that night that he suffered his first defeat as a professional after being stopped by eventual Prizefighter winner, Glenn Foot.

Before then, the 28-year-old had enjoyed a perfect start to his professional career and will be determined to get back to winning ways against Gallear.