In February heavyweight veteran Tony “The Tiger” Thompson (37-3 25 KOs) entered the ring against British prospect David Price (15-1 13 KOs). In what started off as the young fighter (Price) out pointing the old veteran (Thompson) the tables quickly turned. One right hook later from the southpaw Thompson and Price, was looking up at the lights and could not seem to get his equilibrium back to continue. The fight was stopped just two rounds into the contest. The first fight between Thomson and Price was a quick fight but, so too are a lot of Heavyweight fights. This was David Price’s first introduction to the Heavyweight division at an elite level.
Thompson was a formidable opponent. In the last 13 years he’s only lost twice and both times coming against Heavyweight Kingpin Wladimir Klitschko. In the 4 years between the Kiltschko losses, Thompson strung together 5 wins–all being stopped before the final bell. Thompson was supposed to be Price’s big win to get his name in conversations with the top fighters but “The Tiger” turned out to be the spoiler instead. Price started his career 15-0 with 13 KO’s, after an impressive amateur background which culminated with a bronze medal in the 08’ Olympics.
Price now has brought in former Heavyweight Champion Lennox Lewis to help his training for the upcoming bout. Lewis knows a thing or two about having to comeback from a knockout loss. Lewis was knocked out by Oliver McCall and Hasim Rahman and came back years later to defeat both.
Thompson who feels this win, was no fluke and wants to show the world that he’s not done at age 41. With the Klitschko’s dominating the division and everyone else jockeying for position to fight them, another loss to Thompson would surely drop Price out of any world title conversations and would be detrimental to his career.
Now just 5 months after their first meeting, On July 6th at the Echo Arena in Liverpool, England, 29 year old David Price will get his chance for revenge against the aging Tony “The Tiger’ Thompson.
