David Price vs. Osborne Machimana on 2/5

DAVID PRICE will have his first ten round contest when he tackles Osborne Machimana next week in a Commonwealth heavyweight title eliminator.

The 2008 Olympic bronze medallist (8-0) will face the South African heavyweight champion at Brentwood Centre on Saturday February 5.

Machimana (18-6-1) is a class above Price’s previous opponents with his best win coming three years ago when he knocked out former WBO champion Corrie Sanders inside a round.

Price’s promoter Frank Maloney said: “I had Frans Botha lined-up to fight David, but he was refused permission to box here by the British Boxing Board of Control.

“I am very happy with Machimana who is a winning fighter and a man I expect to show plenty of desire.”

Machimana, 32, who stands 6ft 4in tall and weighs more than 18 stone has held his national crown since October 2006 and made six successful defences.

Maloney added: “After this fight I want David to meet one of Britain’s best and make sure he is in the mix to win a Lonsdale belt.

“People have been critical of the opponents I have picked for David, but there can be no more complaints over this opponent.

“The critics can say what they want about me, but I will stand my track record of building up heavyweights and delivering the right fights at the right time.”

In the main event, Nottingham’s British super-bantamweight champion Jason Booth (35-6) meets Cwmbran’s Commonwealth king Jamie Arthur (18-4) in a double title clash.

A super-flyweight contest sees recent British flyweight title challenge Ashley Sexton (9-0-1) box former British bantamweight title holder Martin Power (21-6)

Tickets for the show priced £30 and £55 are available from 0871 226 1508 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 0871 226 1508 end_of_the_skype_highlighting and www.frankmaloney.com