By James Slater: Fans everywhere were very disappointed when they read that the upcoming British heavyweight title fight eliminator between unbeaten hope David Price and tough contender John McDermott had been postponed for a second time (the first time due to McDermott pulling out, this time due to 2008 Olympian Price doing so).
The intriguing and important bout was set for Nov. 19th, but Price suffered a rib injury in sparring. Those critics who felt the pull out may have been of a suspicious nature can think again; as Price confirmed when speaking with The Liverpool Echo.
“The cartilage has some away from the bone, so it’s a bad injury,” Price said of the rib injury. “ I got caught with a shot in sparring in the wrong place at the exact wrong time. I didn’t stop when it happened so I did four of the ten rounds with the injury.
“I feel like I’ve let a lot of people down but I would have been letting myself down if I had gone in there, not 100-percent. It could only take one shot to injure my rib again. I’ve got to think long-term and know that a lot of bigger fights are at stake.”
Promoter Frank Maloney has confirmed the new date for the twice-postponed battle will be January 21st next year, with the venue to be The Olympia in Prices’ hometown of Liverpool
28-year-old Price, 11-0(9) is seen by many as the most promising big man in the sport right now. A good amateur who defeated fellow unbeaten pro Tyson Fury in the unpaid ranks, the tall, athletic 245-pounder has shown real talent so far in his fledging pro career. Last seen blasting out Tom Dallas in two, and before that U.S import Raphael Butler in one, Price has shown he can punch.
The plan was, and still is, for Price to beat McDermott and then fight in the U.S for the first time. Then, if all goes well, the prospect will return to the U.K and fight for the British title. It goes without saying how it would be perfect if Price-Fury II contested such honours.
The setback of the rib injury has annoyed Price more than anyone, but he can look ahead to a great 2012.
In other U.K heavyweight news, it has been announced that former British heavyweight champ Dereck Chisora will take a short-notice six-rounder against a TBA in Halifax tomorrow night. Speaking with Barnet Today, “Del Boy’s” trainer Don Charles said the “low-key” fight will get Chicora “back to winning ways.”
Chisora was, of course, set to fight Larry Olubamiwo a short time back, only for big Larry to pull out ill. Maybe Chisora and Price will meet one day?