Getting ready to rumble: Pierson prepares Pavlik

By JOE SCALZO

VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF

YOUNGSTOWN — Not long after starching his opponent in the fifth round of an under-card bout on Sept. 29 in Atlantic City, super middleweight Richard Pierson took a seat next to his sister and girlfriend in the nosebleed section of Boardwalk Hall to watch his sparring partner, Kelly Pavlik, fight for the middleweight title.

“I felt like I was watching history in the making,” Pierson said.

Then, in the second round, Jermain Taylor caught Pavlik with a couple nasty punches and sent him to the canvas. Pierson couldn’t see exactly what happened, but it angered him.

And not for the reason you might guess.

“I was [ticked] because I knew Jermain wasn’t as skilled or as fast as me,” Pierson said. “I was happy to see him [Pavlik] get up.”

Then, in the sixth round, he noticed Taylor wasn’t the same fighter he was in the earlier rounds.

“Kelly hurt him,” said Pierson, a New Jersey native who flew into Youngstown for training. “Jermain wasn’t moving the same.”

One round later, Pavlik knocked out Taylor. Pierson attended the post-fight press conference and Pavlik made sure to thank him publicly for getting him ready to fight Taylor.

“He meant everything,” Pavlik said of Pierson, who was one of two sparring partners (Tyrone Watson was the other) who sparred with Pavlik prior to the fight. “It was his speed. I hadn’t seen speed like that since amateurs.”

So, when Pavlik started training for next month’s rematch, his trainer, Jack Loew, made sure to hire Pierson again. Pierson’s talent is an obvious benefit, but what’s impressed Loew even more is his attitude.

“He does everything we ask him to do,” Loew said. “We asked him to simulate Jermain Taylor, the way he usually fights and he did it. He came here to do a job and he did it.”

Pierson’s training has proven to be mutually beneficial. Sparring with the middleweight champion has made him a better fighter. After stopping Ray Smith (who was 7-1) in that under-card bout, he knocked out Jimmy Campbell (who was 10-1) in the first round last month in Las Vegas.

“I just did to [Smith] what Kelly did to me for three weeks,” said Pierson, who improved to 6-1 with four KOs.

Pierson, 27, didn’t fight much as an amateur and is still emerging as a force in the sport. But Loew thinks he’ll be something special once he gets more fight experience.

“He can really fight,” Loew said.

Pierson has been in town a few weeks to work with Pavlik and Loew brought in another sparring partner later this week. Like last fight, Loew plans to alternate sparring partners without giving Pavlik a break.

The strategy, which is common in boxing, builds endurance and mental toughness.

“I expect nothing less out of Richard than he gave us last time,” said Loew.

Added Pavlik, “It’s going to be even better this time because I’m used to the speed. I’m used to the style and my hand speed is really good.”

Pierson, who is from Paterson, N.J., said he’s not sure when he’ll fight next, but his main focus at the moment is on helping Pavlik.

“It’s all for him,” he said.

And Pierson’s next opponent should be wary, Pavlik said.

“He’s [Pierson] been whupping everyone’s butt,” Pavlik said.

scalzo@vindy.com