By James Slater – Due to Tyson Fury deciding to vacate both his British and Commonwealth heavyweight titles, we will not be seeing a fight between he and fellow unbeaten David Price. This was reported yesterday. Today, however, it has been confirmed that the BBB of C along with The CBC have ruled that unbeaten Price, the mandatory challenger for both titles, will face Sam Sexton for the vacant belts.
Price-Sexton hasn’t got anywhere near as much zing to it as Price Vs. Fury, but it’s still a solid match-up between two young heavyweights. Hopefully the fight will take place soon.
28-year-old Price, 12-0(10) must first come through his U.S debut – set for March 24th in Atlantic City against Frenchman Josue Blocus, 16-2(14) – but he will almost certainly enter the ring against Sexton as a substantial betting favourite. But it is to be hoped 27-year-old Sexton, 15-2(6) and a former holder of the Commonwealth title, will be able to give Price a decent test – perhaps one that tells us a little bit more about the 2008 Olympian.
Sexton has shown his capability before; twice beating the tough Martin Rogan. The Norwich man has also twice been in with Dereck Chisora, losing both but giving “Del Boy” a hard night on both occasions. Sexton, last seen winning a 5th-round TD over the huge Larry Olubamiwo (the fight stopped due to bad cuts picked up by the winner) has shown he can handle strength and power. But 6’8” Price looks to be a genuine star of the future. Without doubt the toughest, most daunting fight of Sexton’s career, the title clash could be lively early but Price is, in my opinion, sure to come in strong at some stage, getting the win.
We still don’t know about Price’s chin and maybe Sexton can test it (although, with just those 6 KO’s, Sexton is no banger). Sexton also has the experience of going into the later rounds of a tough fight (stopping Rogan in the 8th-round of their first meeting, being stopped in the 9th by Chisora in their rematch). Price on the other hand, has gone past the 6th just once, in a fight he was easily winning.
Again, I take Price to win this one when it takes place, probably by KO. But it would be a pretty big statement from the man from Liverpool if he were to halt Sexton as quickly as he did John McDermott.