When an Olympic bronze medallist assures you that he’ll be even better as a professional, it’s time to sit up and take note. Those are the very sentiments of 2008 Beijing medallist David Price, the talented heavyweight from Liverpool set to turn pro on March 28 at the Echo Arena. Though claiming an Olympic bronze, Commonwealth gold, three Senior ABA titles and numerous multi-nation titles to his name, Price believes the best is still yet to come. “I’m a much better fighter now than I was in the Olympics,” states Price, who faces David Ingleby on March 28. “I think if I’d have boxed with my pro style in the amateurs I’d have been even more successful..
“I’m just an all-round better fighter now. My feet are planted more and I’m throwing with bad intentions. My defence is also a lot better now, as I’m not looking to jump around and score points. I’m tucking my chin down and making moves for a reason and not just for the sake of it.”
Having adjusted his style to suit the pro game, Price is reaping the benefits. He’s shared impressive sparring sessions with leading domestic heavyweights and is also starting to fight his kind of fight.
“My aggression is starting to come out now I’m a pro,” says the 25-year-old. “I’m not just a boxer looking to score points and keep people at range with my jab. I’m planting my feet and doing damage. I’m 6’8 and 18-stone – fighting the way I did as an amateur wasn’t natural for a man of my size.
“It now feels as if this is the natural way for me to fight. I think I only boxed the way I did as an amateur because it was necessary for me to do so. The computer scoring system makes you develop a style that can only be used in the amateur game. I’m now boxing how I should have boxed years ago. I feel a lot more at home as a pro.”
Content with the switch and eager to kick off his pro career in style on March 28, Price admits he’s never been happier.
“I haven’t enjoyed boxing this much since I very first started as a young kid,” he reveals. “Turning pro has just revitalised me completely. I now look forward to going to the gym and learning things all over again. I love every minute of training. I’m just a different person altogether right now.”
On March 28 at the Echo Arena, Price will fully unveil his brand new arsenal. The bronze medallist from Beijing will be even better. In a bonus for fight fans, Price is also set to display his repertoire over six rounds, rather then the customary debutant’s four.
“Adam (Booth) and Dave (Coldwell) put the idea to me and I was keen to do the six rounds,” explains Price. “To be honest, without sounding big-headed, I’m not expecting my first fight to go the distance anyway. With the power I’ve been generating in sparring and in the gym, I don’t see many opponents lasting the full six rounds on my debut.”
Shortly after his pro debut on March 28, Price will hook up with David Haye ahead of ‘The Hayemaker’s assault on the world heavyweight titles. It’s the kind of link-up that has made Price the envy of every other fledgling heavyweight prospect.
“I’m relishing the chance to work with David,” enthuses Price. “I may not be as active as some other young heavyweights in my first year, but I guarantee I’ll be doing better work behind closed doors than they will, in terms of training and sparring. By the time I get to 10 pro bouts it will feel like I’ve had 20, because of the experience I’ve gained from working with David and his sparring partners.
“A lot of people are going to be surprised by what they see from me in the pros.”
*** Olympic bronze medallist David Price’s eagerly awaited professional debut forms part of the undercard to HAYEMAKER 6: ‘The Mersey Beatdown’ on March 28 at Liverpool’s Echo Arena. Headlining the show will be the all-Liverpool British title showdown between Tony Dodson and Tony Quigley.
*** To purchase tickets to HAYEMAKER 6: ‘The Mersey Beatdown’ visit www.accliverpool.com or call 0844 8000 400.
*** HAYEMAKER 6: ‘The Mersey Beatdown’ will be screened live and exclusively on Setanta Sports.
NAPA: I’M WORLD CLASS
IAN NAPA believes he is now making up for lost time after wasting his early professional years.
The East London stylist fights on his doorstep at Newham Leisure Centre on March 20 when he makes the first defence of his European bantamweight title against Frenchman Malik Bouziane (10-1)
Napa, 30, delivered a career best performance in October when he grabbed the Euro crown from Carmelo Ballone.
It was Napa’s fifth straight win and proved that he is finally showing the promise expected when he turned professional almost 11 years ago.
Napa (18-6) said: “I mixed with the wrong crowd when I was younger and I have learned from my mistakes. I’ve learned the value of dedication,
“Every fighter on the planet dreams of a world title fight and I will prove myself when I get a chance. I am world class.
“Bouziane is a big test for me and if I want to be taken seriously at the highest level I need to show my best form when we meet.”
A second title fight on bill sees Bristol star Lee Haskins (18-2) defend his British super-flyweight title against Nottingham’s Jason Booth (31-5)
Other fights on an impressive undercard include British featherweight title contender Akaash Bhatia (13-0), heavyweight Larry Olubamiwo (3-0) and flyweight Ashley Sexton (4-0).
Tickets are still available priced £35 and £80 from 0871 226 1508 and www.frankmaloney.com
TRIPLE HITTER
FRANK MALONEY will stage a sensational triple title card in Sunderland on Saturday May 2 with a special added attraction the homecoming of Olympic hero Tony Jeffries.
New European light-middleweight champion Jamie Moore makes the first defence of his title when he faces Ukraine’s former amateur star Roman Dzuman (23-6-1).
Salford’s Moore (31-3) won the title in style earlier this month knocking out former WBC world champion Michele Piccirillo.
Mike Tyson conqueror Danny Williams (40-7) risks his British heavyweight title in a rematch against John McDermott (25-4).
Their combined weight is almost ¼ ton and if there clash last year is anything to go by it will be an explosive contest.
Brixton’s Williams was a controversial points winner in their first meeting when many ringsiders believed McDermott had done enough.
European super-bantamweight champion Rendall Munroe (18-1) bids to become a double title holder when he meets a selected opponent for the vacant Commonwealth title.
Like fellow southpaw Moore, the Leicester dustman is closing in a on a world title tilt.
Beijing bronze medalist Jeffries hasn’t boxed in home city for almost four years and a big crowd is expected for what will hopefully be a triumph return for the Sunderland’s first Olympic medalist in history.
Promoter Frank Maloney said: “This is the biggest night of boxing in the north-east for 20 years and I am sure the passionate fans will get behind it.
“Manchester has been the capital of British boxing for a decade, but the north-east is about to take that crown.”
Undefeated Newcastle brothers Jon Lewis and Travis Dickinson will also box four rounders on the star studded bill.
The card is the British leg of Sky Box Office’s top night of action headed by Ricky Hatton’s showdown against Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas.
Confirmation of the venue, full ticket details and news of a major press conference in Sunderland will be released later this week.
If there are any media enquiries before then please call FTM Sports 0208 467 7647