In hindsight: Price’s career was poorly planned and rushed

By Boxing News - 07/07/2013 - Comments

price66By Boxingmuse: @BoxingMuse – Merseyside’s David Price (15-2, 13 KO’s) was once again halted by ‘The Tiger’ Tony Thompson (38-3, 26 KO’s) in another shock night in Liverpool.

I am not a fan of Price or Thompson but in reflection of both bouts, it is accurate to say David Price’s professional career was poorly planned and rushed.

Before the proposed match up with Thompson, Price owned a resume of 15 wins and 13 by knockout, against journeymen, overmatched fighters and domestic level boxers. Although looking very impressive in these bouts it is obvious there was a fatal era in the progression of this boxer’s career. Price went from domestic level in knocking out rugged war horse Matt Skelton stepping up to world title level against veteran Tony Thompson, who had only lost 3 times in 39 outings, two against heavyweight king Wladimir Klitschko and the other loss was a fairly insignificant decision defeat in only Thompson’s 5th professional fight.

The point I am making is that in the planning of Price’s progression there was no stepping stone put in place to bridge the colossal difference between domestic level and world title level, alarmingly missing out two steps; European level and fringe contenders at world level. Instead the people behind the scene orchestrating Price’s career fast tracked him and matched him with a crafty veteran former world title challenger who had around 13 years of professional boxing experience and Price, the highly touted prospect’s career is now in tatters after two stoppage losses back to back as a result of poor matchmaking.

It is easy to state this now but I always thought Price had been matched to look impressive and display his power but in doing so had also missed out on the opportunity to learn and progress against a variety of opposition instead of continuously destroying over matched opponents.

More strategic matchmaking and gradual progression would have allowed the Liverpudlian to go through some trials and tribulations and acquire the experience to add to his stellar amateur career and eventually allowing Price to step up to world title level with the necessary work experience.

But this realization may have only struck Price’s camp as they looked on while referee Marcus McDonnell waved the fight off in the 5th round after the American landed a flurry of shots against the Liverpool born heavyweight. Price who turned 30 years old, the day of the fight has to well and truly go back to the drawing board.

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