BoxRec

http://www.boxingnewsonline.net/latest/ ... -wreck-now


IN February, leading heavyweight prospect David Price lost his unbeaten record when ageing American contender Tony Thompson stopped him in two rounds. The punch that did the damage, a shot behind the ear, was a peculiar one. The Liverpudlian wanted a rematch, and he wanted it quickly. He wanted to show the world it was a fluke.

More info on the article via the link above.

Like he says, he still has two belts and can still offer the sport something.

It definitely sounds like he over-trained, and I for one would still tune in for his fights because he is exciting.

Yes, it's been a horrible couple of fights but still, that is generally how all losses occur in the heavyweight division.

He has a decent future ahead of him still. He is big, strong and can punch - he still has all those.

Great interview. Nice to see a fighter speak openly and frankly, with no BS.

I think Price has been mismanaged. Those tumbling Latvian type opponents early on, and even the three forty-plus has-beens last year, were inept opponents, as Price now confirms.

Tyson Fury has been handled much better, he's had the rounds, had some guys fighting back, hit the deck twice, and been in some scraps.

Price only needs to look at Wlad for the template for rebuilding a career after bad stoppages. It can be done and Price has the talent and physical advantages. He might be better off ditching his team and finding a new one.

Cracking interview that. It'll be interesting to see where David goes promoter wise now.

Yeah great interview, really makes you want to see him get back on the winning track.
The image of a giant David Price sitting around moping in a tiny caravan is a heart breaker. Maybe a new team behind him, pick the right fight ( not too hard, he hits hard enough to put the lights out on most heavies outside the top 20 ) and he's back on track.

I am afraid he does not have stamina and his punch resistance is not the best, over 12 rounds in a title fight, he will always have problems, unless he takes them out early and he will find it hard to do that at the higher level, reminds me of Bruno when he fought Witherspoon, starts off well then hits the wall or gets caught, when doing well.

Anzi wrote:I am afraid he does not have stamina and his punch resistance is not the best, over 12 rounds in a title fight, he will always have problems, unless he takes them out early and he will find it hard to do that at the higher level, reminds me of Bruno when he fought Witherspoon, starts off well then hits the wall or gets caught, when doing well.

Bruno did a hell of a lot better, for longer, against a miles better opponent. That is an insult to Big Frank.

mickey1975 wrote:

Anzi wrote:I am afraid he does not have stamina and his punch resistance is not the best, over 12 rounds in a title fight, he will always have problems, unless he takes them out early and he will find it hard to do that at the higher level, reminds me of Bruno when he fought Witherspoon, starts off well then hits the wall or gets caught, when doing well.

Bruno did a hell of a lot better, for longer, against a miles better opponent. That is an insult to Big Frank.

Not saying he is anyway on the level of Bruno, Bruno fought at a much higher level, but the same weaknesses.

Anzi wrote:I am afraid he does not have stamina and his punch resistance is not the best, over 12 rounds in a title fight, he will always have problems, unless he takes them out early and he will find it hard to do that at the higher level, reminds me of Bruno when he fought Witherspoon, starts off well then hits the wall or gets caught, when doing well.

He tenses up far too much when he punches. He needs to relax and not worry about power because it's natural. Haye has always been critised for his stamina but he does 12 rounds quite well. Haye has deverstating power but when he's jabbing and moving, he looks very relaxed

Time will tell but he needs to get and stay active a warm up gainst a durable but not particularly skilled opponent and then defend his British and commonwealth titles against all comers. What worries me is Maloney's fighters aren't very active and ringtime is what Price needs.

However a lot of people thought after Price's stoppages that he was world champion already, that he would beat the Klitch brothers at that point, many felt the same about Bruno, when he was knocking people out, so not a bad likeness.

Needs to go with FW and find a new trainer.

He's still got plenty to offer. The second Thompson fight was like Wlad v Brewster.

Hopefully he can regroup and fight his way back into contention.

He comes across as a nice fella and although its easy to say, shouldn't be too hard on himself.

Needs a new trainer, someone who can teach him how to relax in there. And some fights against guys who can fiddle him through 10 rounds so he gets used to being in there, not getting hit, and thinking his way through a long fight. As I've suggested before, a Zack Page-type fighter.

Gotta say he always comes across as honest and a decent bloke Pricey

danconnollyeire wrote:

Anzi wrote:I am afraid he does not have stamina and his punch resistance is not the best, over 12 rounds in a title fight, he will always have problems, unless he takes them out early and he will find it hard to do that at the higher level, reminds me of Bruno when he fought Witherspoon, starts off well then hits the wall or gets caught, when doing well.

He tenses up far too much when he punches.

thats why i was wondering if his talk about 'energy levels' the week before the fight was a bit convenient; Price has always been stiff and always fought in a way that looked like it would be very draining on his stamina if he didn't get the big early KO

Very honest and open interview. Can't tell whether the energy level stuff is true, but his frank assessment that Pulev is miles ahead of him, and honesty about not being sure he can make it any more is refreshing.

Counter-puncher wrote:

danconnollyeire wrote:

Anzi wrote:I am afraid he does not have stamina and his punch resistance is not the best, over 12 rounds in a title fight, he will always have problems, unless he takes them out early and he will find it hard to do that at the higher level, reminds me of Bruno when he fought Witherspoon, starts off well then hits the wall or gets caught, when doing well.

He tenses up far too much when he punches.

thats why i was wondering if his talk about 'energy levels' the week before the fight was a bit convenient; Price has always been stiff and always fought in a way that looked like it would be very draining on his stamina if he didn't get the big early KO

Yep agreed. If Skelton took him to 5 or 6 rounds he would've stood a big chance IMO

When you look at wlad & how he's sorted his stamina issues & vuneralbilitys price can look at him for inspiration.
Even though wlad defeated Thompson he lost to lesser fighters then Thompson.
In this interview price has shown he is ready to overcome any hurdle in order to get there & he has the time to turn it around. Just seems so psychological with him

When you look at wlad & how he's sorted his stamina issues & vuneralbilitys price can look at him for inspiration.
Even though wlad defeated Thompson he lost to lesser fighters then Thompson.
In this interview price has shown he is ready to overcome any hurdle in order to get there & he has the time to turn it around. Just seems so psychological with him

To be fair to Wlad, there was no disgrace in losing to any of the fighters that put him on his arse. Brewster and Sanders could certainly fight, especially the latter.

Puritty not so much, but Wlad was 22 at the time.

Again there's been many good champions who are only rememberd by there defeats over there success.
As said before price needs to learn how to relax. Looking at him he looked like he gassed & had no fighting spirit.
People including sport science experts don't really understand what nerves & pressure over a build up of a fight can cause mental exhaustion.price has been catapulted into a world he wasn't seasoned for & showed he didn't have it.cant see how in this day & age he can get out enough & get suitable fights now he's been so built up

Really good read.

He should not have had the immediate rematch which Frank Maloney mentioned he did not want post fight but did it because Price was desperate for it.

Tony Thompson was also spot on in saying the Lennox Lewis could not changes Prices style drastically in one training camp.

David is still a top bloke and I wish him all the best.

That was one of the best and most refreshing and frank interviews Ive read! I think Price knows that he and his team got caught up in the hype of him knocking over domestic level opposition and the jump was too big! I really like the way Price comes across as a person and you cant help but root for him and hope that he can turn it around! Best of luck David and im sure im not the only boxrecer thinking the same! Ps you definietly have the ability to compete at the top level if you work on your flaws. You made need to adop a wlad like approach aswell in terms of holding when the opponent gets close. Anyway there's a lot of us that want to see you turn it around mate