Sunday, 7 July 2013

Nightmare for David Price in Thompson rematch.

Not too many people around David Price, following his shocking knockout loss to Tony Thompson last february wanted an immediate rematch, but with former world heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis in camp a confident Price convinced Frank Maloney to pursue Price v Thompson 2.  Here we are five months later staring headlong into unchartered waters for the Liverpool heavyweight. Lewis is however someone who should know a thing or two about avenging a damaging first loss. In 1994 Lennox had to go back to the drawing board following his own catastrophic first loss against Oliver McCall, he addressed the flaws with the help of Manny Steward and returned, not immediately but a few years later a different man to administer revenge upon his nemesis. So here we are, same venue, same tricky mountain to climb, and a chance at redemption for The Liverpool heavyweight. Halfway through round 2 Price seemed to have made the breakthrough, a short right hand dropped the southpaw Thompson who was all at sea surviving into he third session, but entering round 4 an over anxious Price was struggling with the pace and in opting to slug it out with the relatively fresh DC man looked to be playing right into his hands. Midway into the fifth a flurry of well placed shots from Thompson physically rocked Price who began to unravel, seizing the moment Thompson launched an onslaught which forced referee Marcus McDonnell to offer a count to which the stricken Price failed to respond.  A second loss is a very bitter pill to swallow in such circumstances, Thompson himself summed up David's issues quite accurately when he said " it's not a problem with David physically, it's something in is head that needs addressing ."  Lennox Lewis can't fix all of David's problems in one camp, and in hindsight an immediate rematch may not have been the best route to have taken.  This unfortunate loss leaves Price 15 / 2 (13 ko's) with a pretty long haul back in a sport where the snakes are long and the ladders are short.  Thompson however, gallant  in victory has options galore at 38 / 3 (26 ko's) a muted Tyson Fury fight may prove hugely popular on these shores, either way once again the World is his oyster.

2 comments:

  1. Perfect summing up Steve - Price never looked settled & was extremely nervous from the first bell. As we know nerves will drain your strength very quickly, but Price was strangely, absolutely out on his feet when the referee stepped in. Full credit to Tony Thompson tho', he deserves the credit for his battling style, and sheer power for a man of 41

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  2. Thanks Bill... I felt bad for him but never liked the idea of tackling the same opponent before any underlying issues were corrected... The first fight wasn't a fluke and its perhaps David not having 110% faith in himself. I was shocked at how fast he blew out, not necessarily a stamina problem as maybe an anxiety issue. Thompson never loses to just anyone and in the 2nd it was only luck that happened to save Thompson.. in hindsight maybe this loss is a good thing, now it is out in the open Price can go try and fix the flaw.... I never say never.... God Bless, thanks for the nice words.. See you in Bergamo... lmao...

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