By James Slater: It was a case of “someone’s O must go,” last night in Liverpool, as unbeaten heavyweight hopes David Price and Tom Dallas collided in a British and Commonwealth elimination bout. Beijing Olympian Price, the taller and heavier man of the two (6’8” and 244 to his rival’s 6’6” and 229), came out of the encounter with his zero intact, as he scored an impressive 2nd-round KO.
The older man by a year at age 27 landed a smashing right hand to the chin in the 2nd, and his sometime spar-mate hit the mat hard. Referee Victor Loughlin began a count, but waved the fight off before reaching ten, seeing how Dallas was never going to get back up in time. The official time was 2-minutes and 45-seconds of the round. Price is now 11-0(9). Dallas, who took the fight on very short notice when original Price opponent John McDermott pulled out with a throat infection, is now 15-1(11).
Price, looking sharp and fluid for such a big man, let Dallas take the fight to him, but he made him pay as he attacked. Price used his left jab very well and he showed the power he has in his left hook and his right hand. Much classier-looking than Dallas, Price was also the more relaxed of the two.
After taking the opening session, Price scored the most impressive win of his pro career with his eye-catching KO. Landing a left jab with a thudding right hand behind it, Price saw his man go down heavy.
Price, who promoter Frank Maloney later said is the best heavyweight in the UK next to David Haye, now looks ahead to a fight with McDermott. That bout will be a final eliminator for the two titles Dereck Chisora currently holds, and the rearranged bout will be interesting indeed. Based on how he looked last night, however, Price will have a real chance of halting “Big Bad John.”
McDermott has the experience of course, but Price really is beginning to look the real deal. The Olympic bronze medallist also showed class outside of the ring last night, thanking Dallas for accepting the fight at short notice. A self-assured, quietly confident guy, Price is no fan of trash-talking. It will be intriguing to see what the U.S fight audience will make of Price.