Showing Every Punch: Giezwa “Papi G” Pierre

Gage Cureton
Staff Writer

Giezwa “Papi G” Pierre knows the outcome of his next bout in the boxing ring against Daniel Bastien in Los Angeles Nov. 11.

“He can’t beat me,” Pierre said. “A fighter might be stronger, they might be faster, anything like that, but they’re not smarter than me.”

Already 3-0 in his fledgling professional boxing career, and a record of 134-15 during his amateur years, Pierre is punching his way up the ladder. He knows his opponent Bastien has 14 professional bouts under his belt and is certain that his opponent can’t withstand his determination.

“I’ve seen him fight; he’s a good fighter,” Pierre said. “He’s not a great fighter but he’s a good fighter.”

Pierre trains at Sir Cerresso Fort Boxing Club in St. Paul. The atmosphere of the small and humble gym is charged with the sweat, blood and determination of the fighters’ past and present.

Pierre’s said he’s trained at the gym for four years and spends nearly eight hours a day preparing for his Nov. 11 fight against Bastien. He said it’s his “home away from home” even while supporting his family and working a full-time job.

“Depending on how my body feels I’m here for at least eight to ten hours a day,” Pierre said.  “I go through different regiments. We have nine or ten different levels of training in one day. It’s a continuous repetition over the course of eight hours.”

Pierre said he’s different from other fighters, specifically Bastien. He incorporates intense mental training sessions, such as number games, into his workouts under the guidance of his coaches.

Fighting under the featherweight class, he champions a strong mind over physical prowess.

“That’s my thought process,” he said. “It’s definitely mind over matter. They might train [physically] as hard as me, but I don’t have to worry about anything on that part.”

Some fighters change their technique or train differently according to who their next opponent is. However, Pierre said he values consistency. And he isn’t going to change a thing.

“I don’t train differently,” he said. “I maintain the same training schedule all the way through for each and every opponent.”

Pierre said he may change a few things such as increasing repetition or changing technique, but this is only to sustain and accommodate his athletic improvement.

“We might up more speed-bag work, more bag work, and we might up those things more. But I never change up training for any opponent,” he said.

Boxing undoubtably contains strategy and outthinking an opponent. Pierre is determined to control and dominate Bastien’s space in the ring. He said he’ll apply his tried and true formula of keeping his opponent guessing with every one of his jabs.

“A part of my strategy is to always be in control,” Pierre said. “It doesn’t matter if it’s the distance, it doesn’t matter if it’s the punch, it’s just about always being in control for me.”

November is an important month for Pierre. He’ll sign with Pro Fight Biz, a Los Angeles based management company, Nov. 9, two days before he steps in the ring with Bastien.

He said it’s a “big step” in his career and will allow him to support his family while doing what he loves.

Pierre said he attributes his next fight to his family. He said he owes all his hard-earned success to those who’ve supported him.

“My family is number one,” he said. “My son, the mother of my child and just everybody that wants to see me continue being successful.”

The young and optimistic boxer leaves Nov. 8 for Los Angeles. He said he’ll be 4-0 in just a few short weeks.

“The only thing now is how strong is my mind to out will his,” he said. “Is his will stronger or is my will stronger? I’m always going to win though.”

Feature photo by Mansoor Ahmad | MSU Reporter.