BoxRec

On 5 Live now. David Price has stated that the first week in training has been a slog but it was sharpening up as he was pretty fit already after his 82 second demolition of Audley Harrison and has been enjoying getting fit for it and is excited about training for Matt Skelton and that Mike Costello on Five Live reckons that Price will have too much power and variety for Skelton and commentary will be on 5 Live.

Just seen a bit on ringside and Pricey was saying he has moved fast this year and approaching world class. Can't say I agree with that! He is moving slowly for such a prospect. Hopefully he picks it up next year.

lillywhite14 wrote:Just seen a bit on ringside and Pricey was saying he has moved fast this year and approaching world class. Can't say I agree with that! He is moving slowly for such a prospect. Hopefully he picks it up next year.

It is important to recognise that he has had promotional issues earlier in his career with Setanta going bust when he signed with Hayemaker and he has had injury problems as well to that kept him out, but he seems to be making up for lost time at the moment. As for approaching world class he is getting regular topline sparring against the likes of Kubrat Pulev et al so he is bound to continue improving and we are seeing the results of it which is anchored to his terrific amateur pedigree.

The Dark Destroyer wrote:Still needs two more years, preferably five fights a year.

And continually getting topline sparring as well. But when he has stepped up against McDermott, Sexton, and Harrison he has delivered and I expect more of the same against Skelton as I reckon he will stop Skelton in the mid to late rounds somewhere between rounds 5-9.

Yeah I realise he has suffered a touch regarding promotion and he had a couple of injuries too but it's fairly indicative that top line sparring involves Pulev, a guy who turned pro after Pricey.

Both these chaps were vastly experienced amateurs who operated at international level for a long time. Pulev's resume reflects this a lot better. Guys with so much am experience don't need long and drawn out learning curves in the pro ranks. Just over a year in to his career and Pulev had already beaten Skelton, Guinn and Vidoz.

Wen he is done with the Lonsdale I hope he goes straight for a Dimitrenko type opponent.

Although only 4kg heavier on the scales that Skelton, Price made the Bedford Bear look small at today's weigh-in. Skelton looked like the paunchy bloke rapidly approaching 50 that he is. I really think that if Price is going to get anywhere near the heights a lot of people are predicting, Skelton needs to be stopped well within five.

I really fear for Skeltons safety in this fight. He's 45, brave and is going to be walking on to Price's shots. He's not even got the one punch power to hurt Price at all either. Its a mismatch imo.

Punchy Joe wrote:I really fear for Skeltons safety in this fight. He's 45, brave and is going to be walking on to Price's shots. He's not even got the one punch power to hurt Price at all either. Its a mismatch imo.

I tend to agree. Skelton is a lovely, humble guy who's as brave as lion but I fear that he's nowhere near as tough and rugged as he was. I don't want to see him get smashed. There is a danger that we could build Price up as a bit more of a killer than he perhaps is but he's surely head and shoulders above Skelton in every department that will matter tomorrow.

The Dark Destroyer wrote:

IRLangmaid25 wrote:

The Dark Destroyer wrote:Still needs two more years, preferably five fights a year.

And continually getting topline sparring as well. But when he has stepped up against McDermott, Sexton, and Harrison he has delivered and I expect more of the same against Skelton as I reckon he will stop Skelton in the mid to late rounds somewhere between rounds 5-9.

I wouldn't call any of those fighters a step up when he fought them.

Steps from up Osbourne Manchimana a fat South African Heavyweight and then Tom Dallas a fringe contender. McDermott a three time British title challenger, Sexton a former Commonwealth Champion, Harrison a former European Champion etc. THose are step ups in my eyes.

IRLangmaid25 wrote:

The Dark Destroyer wrote:Still needs two more years, preferably five fights a year.

And continually getting topline sparring as well. But when he has stepped up against McDermott, Sexton, and Harrison he has delivered and I expect more of the same against Skelton as I reckon he will stop Skelton in the mid to late rounds somewhere between rounds 5-9.

I think it is going to be early. Skelton has never fought in reverse (we will discount the Williams 2 fight) and I can't see him beating Price by coming at him head on, he will just walk straight onto a right hand if he does that. I think it is going to be another case of us saying 'nobody has ever done that to ........ before' tomorrow evening again.

I don't think its a shame that Skelton has a British title challenge, for me it is a deserved challenged - However do think Price is all wrong for him and there could be a chorus of boos at the end of the fight - something Skelton does not deserve to hear.

Its a shame that it is Price he is fighting, cause I think Skelton still has enough to ask Fury some questions.