Boxing returns to the Turning Stone Resort & Casino in Verona, NY, on Saturday, February 28, live on pay-per-view ($19.95) and hosted by Manny Pacquiao Promotions. The headline event is a WBO featherweight title eliminator as Elijah Pierce (21-2, 17 KOs) faces Lorenzo Parra (23-1-1, 17 KOs) in a scheduled ten-round bout.
If this fight sounds familiar, it should, as they were originally supposed to face off in November. However, as the fight neared, the 29-year-old Pierce from Oklahoma City, OK, fell ill and was forced to pull out. Pierce hadn’t spoken on the matter until now, when he confirmed the report of his illness.
“When you are cutting weight, your immune system isn’t as strong during that time,” Pierce told FightsATW. “I ended up getting sick and it tore me up. This is something I worked for my entire career, so if I had to reschedule it, then it had to be done. I wasn’t happy about it. I didn’t get paid either. I put in three months of training camp, busted my a%s to not get paid. It wasn’t like it was a good thing for me.”
When reflecting on 2025, Pierce first defines his character and what it means to be in his shoes each year, not just the one that passed, along with things he didn’t get to accomplish that he set out to do at the start of last year.
One thing about Elijah Pierce is that I’ve stood ten toes on everything I have ever said,” Pierce shared. “I’m confident in who I am and what I’ve been able to accomplish. Literally, I’ve been on the hunt for a world title, so the hunt continues. That’s my motto (The Hunt Continues), and that’s what it has always been about. I’m trying to solidify myself as a champion, the best in the sport, and most importantly, give back to my family and take care of my children.”
Pierce continued, “The only thing I didn’t get to accomplish in 2025 was the (Naoya) Inoue fight, which I wanted extremely bad. I feel like that would have been the fight that would have carried me over the threshold that I’ve been wanting to get over. I’ve been doing this all my life, and I know I can beat him.”
Things Outside of The Ring Continue To Flourish
When I last spoke to Pierce in August 2024, he had just released a children’s book titled The Hunt Continues, which was a collaborative effort with author JaBrenna A. Brown. Since then, a comic book featuring his daughter, Bella’s Birthright, was released in collaboration with Brown. Pierce admits that although music, dancing, and other activities are what he is passionate about and hopes to continue pursuing, boxing still remains his top priority, with becoming a world champion being his ultimate goal.
Elijah Pierce Is More Than Ready For His Upcoming Fight Against Lorenzo Parra
As mentioned at the top of this column, the fight on Saturday is a WBO title eliminator. Pierce is ranked #2 with the WBO but also #2 with the WBA. It seems that, given the fight on Saturday, Pierce is aiming to pursue the WBO route, which means focusing on the champion Rafael Espinoza. Considering what is at stake on Saturday night, Pierce is more focused than ever, as he can taste the opportunity he’s been craving since turning pro in 2016.
“I don’t believe anyone can beat me when I’m at my best,” said Pierce. With his confidence level at an all-time high, Pierce also gave his prediction for fight night: “A devastating knockout…I refuse to be defeated.”
Pierce is a top contender in the featherweight division, but his opponent is no pushover, as Pierce is only a 2-1 betting favorite. Will this be the fight that proves to the world Pierce is ready for a world title shot after being caught up in boxing politics within the ranking system? You can watch Pierce vs. Parra live on traditional cable pay-per-view, a fight that has a world title shot awaiting the winner.
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