By James Slater – Big things are expected of exciting, ultra-promising heavyweight contender David Price; the man who captured a bronze medal at the Beijing Olympics in 2008. So far unbeaten as a pro at 12-0(10), the 6’8” Liverpool man has turned heads with his KO power, his right hand especially impressing fans and experts..
This Saturday night in his hometown, the 28-year-old will take the biggest test thus far in his fledgling pro career, as he faces the experienced Sam Sexton for the British belt Tyson Fury opted to vacate. Price is the betting favourite, yet he admits that the fight will not be easy and that he has worked very hard to get the win. Sexton, who has been in with the likes of Dereck Chisora and Martin Rogan (twice each), feels his speed and movement will see him to victory. Not only that, but Sexton told BBC Sport that he is sure Price is worried about the upcoming fight.
“I know how boxers’ minds work, and I know how David’s mind will be working right now,” Sexton told BBC. “He’s worried about this fight as well. He knows he’s never been against anyone with my speed and movement. He knows I’m going to cause him problems.”
27-year-old Sexton, 15-2(6) may indeed have the stuff needed to give the still-learning Price problems, but it will be a big upset if Sexton does more than that and gets the win. Personally, I wouldn’t be surprised if Price came out and blasted Sexton out inside a round or two – Price’s right hand is that powerful, accurate and fast. Sexton has been hit and hurt before, and he has never before faced a man with such a cannon for a right hand.
With Price, though, we know about his power and his strength; what we do not yet know is how he will respond if he’s caught on the chin with a serious shot. Also, how will price react if a guy does manage to stick around until the later rounds and gets him frustrated and tired? Sexton is no banger, so we may not get an answer to the first question on Saturday, but we may get an answer to the second. If Sexton can get through the early rounds and get his jab working, he might be able to take Price to a place he has not been to before (Price has gone past the 6th-round just one time; Sexton has been six rounds or more on nine occasions).
Scheduled for 12-rounds of course, it will be interesting to see how Price’s stamina holds up if the later rounds are reached. It would be a shock, however, if the fight lasted that long. I go for Price to put on another impressive performance that will get even more people talking about him as the eventual successor to the Klitschko brothers.
Look for Price to get Sam out of there before the 5th-round.