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.

Pearce took a fight with Percell Davis of Detroit at two days' notice but was stopped in the eighth round.

[14] Pearce later had a second wind after sparring against Lennox Lewis who was in preparation for the Lewis–Glenn McCrory fight and decided to train once more for his final comeback in California, USA.

[16] The South Wales Argus and the Californian press likened Pearce to the fighter Philo Beddoe, who was portrayed in the films Every Which Way but Loose and Any Which Way You Can.