David Pearce, born in Pillgwenlly, Newport, Gwent, was one of nine children: seven brothers, six of whom boxed professionally, and one who was a professional dancer, and two sisters. He boxed out of St Joseph’s 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 seven 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.

David Pearce suffered two setbacks on his road to the British title. A disputed early stoppage loss to Neville Meade when still 20 years of age and a controversial loss to Big John Rafferty the ABA English Champion. Pearce had knocked down Rafferty four times in the fight before he was disqualified in the third round for punching after the referee had called break (This caused a riot in the crowd as supporters had believed David Pearce had been severely wronged).

David Pearce fought and stopped Dennis Andries, the future three times WBC World light heavyweight World champion, in round seven. Dennis Andries went six years before being stopped again, this time by Thomas Hearns in the tenth round.

David Pearce, challenged and vowed to avenge his loss to Neville Meade to win the Welsh and British heavyweight titles from Meade who had won his last seven of eight fights by KO.

David 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 heavyweight title was won on the night, the prestigous title had to be relinquished by Pearce, due to his commitments of becoming British heavyweight champion.

David 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.

David Pearce earned a draw with EBU Champion Felipe Rodriquez, Felipe Rodriquez has a statue erected in his hometown of Vilaxoan. Pearce also knocked out the former EBU Champion Albert Syben in one round at the Royal Albert Hall.

David Pearce secured a for the prestigous EBU European heavyweight title after earning the number one ranking. Pearce was up against it from the start after damaging his hands in training, this led to no sparring before the biggest fight of his life.  Upon arriving in France, he did not have a hotel room and had to sleep on a park bench the night before the fight. The fight was scheduled to take place in Limoges in the hostile indoor arena in a 20ft ring, booked by the promoter as the largest possible boxing ring to allow Lucien Rodriquez to box on the back foot and keep away from Pearce.

On the night the referee would break the fight up from the first to the eighth round anytime Pearce was on the attack and had Rodriguez in any sort of trouble. However even though Pearce was up against he took everybody by surprise and took the fight to  Lucien Rodriguez, the long-standing European Champion. Rodriguez took a knee in the third round for a standing eight count and was twice knocked down in the 8th round by Pearce. Both counts in round 8 were over 10 seconds, which were captured during the live footage. The most experienced judge scored the fight 114-115 and the referee score card read 114-115. Some observers, felt Pearce was unlucky not to get the verdict due to the two infamous long counts and the ref not stopping the fight due to Rodriguez badly cut eye. It was Pearce’s aggressive style throughout the fight which led to the Frenchman suffering a severe cut across the eye. 

Reg Gutteridge stated the following day; “Pearce won the European heavyweight title twice last night” in reference to the long counts.

Steve Bunce said; “If the European heavyweight title fight had taken place in London, or Cardiff then Pearce would have been Champion.

David “Bomber” Pearce was one boxing referee decision away from being mandatory challenger to fight Larry Holmes for the WBC heavyweight World title as Lucien Rodriquez had done in 1983. In doing so Pearce would have been the first Welshman since Tommy Farr to fight for the heavyweight World title.

Lucien Rodriquez was quoted in the French press as saying that Pearce had been “the toughest man he had faced in his boxing career”. “He had an iron chin, and what ever I hit him with, he would just keep coming after me”. “David Pearce had devastating power and did what two World champions couldn’t do” (Larry Holmes & Micheal Dokes in reference to being knockdown heavily by David Pearce).

David “Bomber” Pearce’s family were awarded the EBU heavyweight boxing belt and a letter signed by the president and secretary of the EBU board at the unveiling of the bronze statue in his honour. On receiving an honorary championship title he became the third boxer after Joey Giardello and Ruben Carter.

Pearce made efforts from 1979 to 1984 to fight cruiserweight champions such as ST Gordon, Mate Parlov, Marvin Camel, Ossie Ocassio and Bernard Benton who were WBA and WBC cruiserweight champions.  Unfortunetly for Pearce the BBBoC would not sanction a cruiserweight world title bout in the UK or recognise Pearce as a champion if he travelled to the United States of America. 

David Pearce defeated Dennis Andries, in a WBA cruiserweight eliminator via a 7th round KO in 1982. Pearce then defeated Micheal Johnson in a final eliminator to earn the opportunity to fight for the WBA cruiserweight title.

David Pearce was also made WBC cruiserweight number one.

Eventually David “Bomber” Pearce was given the opportunity to fight for the World title.  Pearce signed contracts with promoter Morgan’s Palle, to fight the winner between Ossie Occasio v John Odihamibo for the WBA Cruiserweight title.

Then tragedy struck as Pearce’s boxing career was cruelly cut short due to medical reasons three weeks later.

David Pearce took a fight with Percell Davis on two days notice, even though he was a shadow of his former self due to financial difficulties he had faced during his seven year medical and legal fight against the BBBoC. However Pearce still showed tremendous heart and was courageous in defeat. The referee stopped the fight in Rd 8 with Pearce still on his feet. The American TV commentators stated they had not seen such bravery in a boxing ring.

David Pearce later had a second wind and decided to train for 6 months in his final comeback in America after his unprepared previous trip to the states. David “Bomber” Pearce knocked out Mary Konate, and John Tate, in 1 and 3 rounds respectively, in unsanctioned bouts in Bakersfield, California in 1994. This was reported by Mr John Francis of the South Wales Argus.

David “Bomber” Pearce ran up the steps of the Newport Transporter Bridge as a training aid.

David “Bomber” Pearce gave away at least 2 stone (28 lb; 13 kg) to most opponents during his career.

David “Bomber” Pearce weighed exactly the same weight as Johnny Nelson when he fought Dennis Andries, Pearce’s KO of Dennis Andries was 15 years earlier.

David “Bomber” Pearce won two heavyweight ‘Prizefighter Tournaments’ during his career.

David “Bomber” 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. Trevor Berbick decided not to defend his title against David “Bomber” Pearce.

Joe Bugner was floored by David “Bomber” Pearce during a sparring session, before a potential bout with Pearce for Bugner’s comeback fight. This resulted in Bugner’s management choosing Eddie Neilson as an opponent.

Lennox Lewis spoke highly of David Pearce and his fighting style for competing on the World heavyweight stage as a small cruiserweight. David Pearce sparred with Lennox Lewis, in the lead up to Lennox Lewis becoming British heavyweight champion. 

David “Bomber” 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 Unlicenced 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 David “Bomber” 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.”

Paul Sykes stated that Pearce was the toughest and most ferocious fighter he ever sparred with whilst sparring at the Waterloo Gym, Pilgwenlly.

David Pearce was good friends with Diana Dors and Alan Lake, who supported him in his first round KO victory over the Belgian three time European heavyweight boxer Albert Syben

Pearce was ranked as high as number seven in the WBA heavyweight World rankings before his career was cruelly cut short.

David “Bomber” Pearce was due to fight Buster Douglas in Columbus, Ohio, USA but was pulled out whilst warming up in the changing room on three hours notice Donnie Long, replaced Pearce on the night.

David Pearce vs Leon Spinks was called off on 24 hrs notice at the Exhibition Centre, Coconut Grove, Florida, USA. and Jose Ribalta stepped in even though contracts were signed. 

David Pearce was medically retired in 1984. 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”

Davis “Bomber” Pearce came 2nd in the BBC Wales sports personality of the year in 1983.

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 of all weights.

“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 EBU heavyweight title fight against Felipe Rodriquez, at the Royal Albert Hall, London.

“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, British heavyweight final eliminator at the Royal Albert Hall, London.

“I have never trained so hard in all my life. That was for my father, the people of Newport and also for myself”. – David Pearce, after his British heavyweight title fight at St David’s Hall, Cardiff.

“Pearce won the European heavyweight title twice last night” in reference to the two long counts and the Frenchman’s cut eye. Reg Gutteridge reporting on the European heavyweight title fight the next morning.

Frank Maloney said of Pearce: “They dont make them like him anymore! Pearce would have fought anybody”.

Terry Lawless said to Frank Bruno at Ringside after David Pearce’s first round KO of Albert Syben: “That left hook would have knocked out any fighter in the World”.

Lucien Rodriguez said: “Pearce did what two heavyweight World champions couldn’t do” In reference to not being knocked down in his fights with world heavyweight champions Larry Holmes and Michael Dokes. 

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”.

Joe Erskine said: “David Pearce could be the biggest puncher we’ve seen come from Wales”

Noel Trigg said: “What a punch, Pearce is one of the greatest natural born fighters ever to come from Great Britain”.

Michael Dokes named David Pearce “The Welsh Jack Dempsey” whilst sparring under the tutelage of Angelo Dundee. 

Bimbo Pearce said of his brother: “He would have been unstoppable at cruiserweight”. 

Eddie Avoth described Pearce as: “One of the greatest Welsh fighters we have produced”.

Robbie Regan said: “He was the most avoided fighter in the heavyweight division”. 

Steve Sims said: “What a left hook! He is sorely missed and Newport’s own Rocky”. 

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”. 

Charles Bronson said: “Dave Pearce was a legend, a true hard man of British boxing”. 

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”. 

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 until 1985. 

Spencer Fearon said “David Pearce was a fantastic warrior, he was so rugged and powerful”.

Steve Bunce said “In any other era David Pearce would have been a World star.” “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”. 

Frank Warren said “He boxed an American for me in a cruiserweight eliminator 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”.