Junior featherweight prospect Elijah Pierce notched another win, this time at the expense of Juan Carlos Pena.
Pierce battered Pena, stopping him in the second round Saturday night at the Farmers Public Market in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
The 26-year-old Pierce, who resides in nearby Midwest City, improves to 16-2, 14 knockouts.
After a feeling-out opening round, Pierce was the aggressor to start round two. Midway through the round, a left hook to the head dropped Pena to the canvas. Pena was still visibly hurt after beating the count, but was dropped again moments later after the southpaw Pierce landed a right hook to the head. The fight was immediately stopped at 2:15.
Saturday marked Pierce’s fifth fight of this year. He is scheduled to again fight on December 9 at Center Stage in Atlanta, Georgia.
The victory over Pena took place five weeks (October 15) after Pierce knocked out once-beaten Daron Williams, also in the second round. Pierce has now won his last seven fights since a majority decision loss to Sulaiman Segawa in September 2019.
Amongst Pierce’s wins are knockouts of Irvin Gonzalez and Jesse Garcia, both of whom were unbeaten when they faced Pierce.
Pierce is currently trained by Andy Pierce, who is also his father, Aaron Salamone, and Alain Felipe. Pierce is co-managed by Trifon Petrov and Jessie Tanksley and promoted by Jeter Promotions.
Pena, who is from the Dominican Republic, drops to 32-9, 23 KOs. The 34-year-old, who previously lost to former world title challenger Stephon Young by split-decision on June 11, has now lost his last six fights.
The card, which was promoted by Maurice Williams, was streamed live on Fite.tv.
Francisco A. Salazar has written for BoxingScene since September 2012 and has covered boxing in Southern California and abroad since 2000. Francisco also covers boxing for the Ventura County (California) Star newspaper. He can be reached by email at santio89@yahoo.com or on Twitter at FSalazarBoxing.