Steven Pearce will be a 'bodysnatcher'

Stourbridge's Steven Pearce today warned Liam Griffiths he's a 'bodysnatcher' as the two get set to go toe-to-toe at Walsall Town Hall.

'Fierce Pearce' - just two fights into his professional career - has already started to carve out a reputation as a come forward fighter.

And the 29-year-old welterweight today declared he will be the aggressor again when he steps through the ropes on Saturday night.

Pearce turned pro with an entertaining dust-up with Bheki Moyo at Walsall Town Hall last October, winning through a points shut out.

The former Cradley Heath ABC amateur then scored his first stoppage on the BoxNation-televised bill at Wolverhampton Civic Hall in March.

Matt Seawright - a 60 fight veteran - was cut, floored and waved off on his feet after three rounds of relentless pressure from Pearce.

He said: "I never go looking for a stoppage but, then again, I never look to go the distance either!

"If I catch them, I will jump on them and stop them. If someone's hurt, they are not getting out of it.

"I go into sixth gear then and I have been trained as a body puncher, so I am used to working on the inside.

"I have watched this lad fight on the internet and he's a quite tall and rangy switch hitter.

"I will get myself close with the jab and, when I get inside, let rip into him and take all the air out of him.

"I will never take a step back, to be honest, I am an aggressive, heavy handed lad who comes forward.

"That's the way I have always boxed - I get stuck in!"

Griffiths has stepped in as a replacement for Mark Bett, who is serving a British Boxing Board of Control ban.

Bett retired on his stool after two rounds with Kevin Hooper on April 27 and is ruled out for 28 days for his own safety.

The 'styles makes fights' mantra saw Pearce and Bett paired and Griffiths' presence will mean a change of pace.

Pearce said: "I have gone from a come forward opponent to a switch hitter but, whoever is there, I have got to beat them.

"I train like I am going up against Floyd Mayweather with anyone I go in there with, so I am always fit.

"I have only ever boxed a switch hitter once, in the ABA Midlands final, and I was a bit outfoxed by him.

"But, once I got into it, I stopped him in the last round."

Tickets for the boxing bill will be available on the door at Walsall Town Hall on Saturday night.