By Billy Bogan: David Price is a wounded animal and as far as cliches go in boxing that is one with which no boxer wants to be associated. It means your weaknesses have been exposed.
A few months ago he faced a major set back in his boxing career with his second stoppage defeat at the hands of Tony Thompson in the Echo Arena in Liverpool. That defeat left his career in tatters and his reputation as a World Heavyweight contender in ruins too.
But perhaps with his switch to Adam Booth, trainer of David Haye, Price could be an even more dangerous creature to step into the ring with. He could really be a personification of that wounded animal cliche that commentators often speak about. After his last defeat he looked like a dog who had lost his bone.
Perhaps a change of scenery was the only way forward at this critical stage in Price’s career.
Glenn McCrory, former IBF World Cruiserweight Boxing Champion, now a pundit for Sky Sports has expressed concerns over David Price’s decision to switch trainers:
McCroy said to Sky Sports “Muhammad Ali didn’t leave Angelo Dundee after he lost to Joe Frazier, Tommy Hearns didn’t leave Emanuel Steward after he lost to Marvin Hagler – and both of them went on to have lots more success”.
Although McCrory has good reason to be skeptical, his argument is far off the mark. Muhammed Ali lost to Joe Frazier. Tommy Hearns lost to Marvin Hagler. Price didn’t lose to a boxer of that caliber. He lost to Tony Thompson, a boxer who has only been in with Wladimir Klitchsko and was beaten pillar to post both times. Not to mention the fact that Thompson was far past his best physically.
David Price should and could have dispatched an out of shape Tony Thompson the first time around. When he was beaten by Thompson for a second time where else could he turn. He simply had to make the change to inject a new lease of life into his career. In terms of drumming up business, which in the fight game involves media coverage, what better move could he have made?
It has obviously worked otherwise nobody would be writing about it and pundits like McCrory wouldn’t be expressing concern.
Price will consider himself extremely fortunate to have been considered by Adam Booth, but should also be out to make a huge statement the next time he steps into the ring. He has been gifted with a third chance to prove his worth. Something most boxers in his position would never have been lucky enough to receive.
Where skeptics see a weak chin and an obvious lack of stamina, Booth sees the potential to rekindle fire from the ashes of Price’s fledgling professional career. McCrory himself sums this up in his article for Sky Sports:
“Price has great size, a terrific right hand and a very good jab, and if Adam can sharpen up David’s defense, protect his suspect chin, and make sure he doesn’t run out of gas in his fights, he might be in business.”
Adam Booth is a smooth operator as far as trainers go. He is sharp, intelligent and a master of sports psychology. He knows that David Price has been exposed. He also knows that he can mend the holes in Price’s armor. He knows the Merseyside boxer packs a huge punch and is capable of dispatching most of the Heavyweight division- with the correct guidance. Conditioning and fitness have failed Price in the past, but under Booth this will no longer be an issue- Booth works his fighters hard mentally and physically. There is no better British boxing trainer around at the minute for a man like David Price.
From Booth’s perspective David Price must be a huge addition to his team. Price has many more fights left in him at 30 years of age. Booth’s number one priority, David Haye, only has a handful of fights left and so when David Haye retires Booth will have a new Heavyweight contender with whom he can focus his full attention. David Price is a shrewd addition for the Hayemaker camp.
So far Price has shown that he has the potential to be a knock out artist, like David Haye. He has also faced a huge set back at a pivotal point in his career. Let’s not forget that David Haye lost a fight he shouldn’t have lost when he was stopped by Carl Thompson. Crucially, he bounced back emphatically under Adam Booth’s counsel.
Price has the potential to do the same. It would be marvelous for British boxing if he does and also for the World Heavyweight division as a whole. The division needs more big, hungry and dangerous fighters who are keen to make a scene. At the moment the most exciting prospects we have are Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder. In my opinion Price, under Adam Booth, is more than capable of beating both. The Klitschko’s will not be around forever and boxing fans need one of these prospects to step up to the standard required.
It will be very interesting to see how David Price develops under Booth’s guidance. With hard work and perseverance he will soon be maneuvering his way back up the Heavyweight ranks and will certainly be a World title contender within the next couple of years, providing he listens and learns.
By the time he turns 33 years of age on July 6th 2016 he will want to be up there competing for a world title. He will also be hoping that that date is the third anniversary of his last defeat.
Price’s move to Adam Booth could be fantastic for boxing, but only time will tell. In the meantime keep an eye on David Price and Adam Booth because they could be set to make inroads into the Heavyweight division.
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