British Heavyweights Tyson Fury and David Price both came through their respective tests this weekend to maintain their much coveted undefeated records, and with them, kept alive the prospect of the biggest domestic clash since Nigel Benn vs. Chris Eubank.
First up on Friday night, Price defeated journeyman Matt Skelton in front a partisan crowd at the Aintree racecourse in Liverpool. Despite the second round KO, Price (15-0, 13 KOs) did not look particularly impressive against the 45-year-old former British and Commonwealth Champion.
In an altogether scrappy affair, the first round saw more hugging than hitting, however, it was the big Liverpudlian who landed the few meaningful shots, and slowly managed to assert the jab towards the close. The early stages of round two saw Skelton again frustrate the current British champ, but as the round progressed, a few more of Prices shots began to find their target. Finally, with just over 20 seconds of the round remaining, a string of body shots sent Skelton to the canvas and ended the Bedford Bear’s challenge.
The following evening, Tyson Fury also produced a performance that underwhelmed, albeit against a much higher caliber opponent, when he labored to a unanimous decision victory of Kevin “Kingpin” Johnson in a WBC world title eliminator. Fury dominated the cagey affair from start to finish, winning 11 of the 12 round on two of the judges’ scorecards.
However, to the disappointment of the home crowd, the Mancunian was unusually hesitant and failed to hurt Johnson, who seemed content just to last till the final bell. After the fight, Fury justified his more cautious approach by telling Channel 5, “He’s not a guy to go and smash up. He’s a world class fighter. I boxed to a game plan and vowed not to let my heart get the better of me.”
The question now is what does 2013 hold for the two heavyweight giants.
Firstly, looking at Fury’s prospects for 2013, what seems most likely is he will continue down the route of becoming the WBC’s mandatory contender, and is seemingly now only one fight away from a world title shot. In an all-round confusing set of events, the WBC made the Seth Mitchell vs. Johnathon Banks, Fury vs. Johnson, and Chris Arreola vs. Bermane Stiverne matches all semi-final eliminators.
Therefore, it is not quite clear who is first in line for a fight with Vitali Klitschko. The most likely scenario is that Fury will face the winner of Arreola vs. Stiverne, with the victor taking on Dr. Ironfist. However, it is also conceivable that the fight with either Arreola or Stiverne could itself be for the WBC title, if Vitali decides to retire from the ring to pursue his political aspirations.
While Fury has begun to take on fringe contenders, Price needs to stop fighting journeymen and really step up in class next year. Over the past two years, Price has only boxed for 13 rounds, partly down to his undeniable power, but largely due to the dismal standard of opponent he has been matched with.
The 2008 Beijing bronze medalist has stated on numerous occasions he wants to win the Lonsdale Belt outright, which is awarded to any fighter who can defend their British title against a British challenger on at least three separate occasions. However, unless Price can fight Derek Chisora next he should move on, as the domestic scene has little else to offer.
After his win on Friday night Price told reporters that he was looking into the possibility of squaring off with Chisora, however, this fight remains fully dependent on Chisora regaining his British license. If a bout with the former world title challenger does materialist I can see Del Boy, as long as he gets himself into a decent shape, causing Price plenty of trouble. An in-shape Chisora stylistically has the potential to frustrate Price, his aggressive swarming style would allow him to get in close and thus nullify Price from using his powerful straights and controlling the fight with the jab.
Ultimately, I feel Price’s power would shine through to produce a late stoppage but a good test nonetheless. Another option mentioned by Price and his promoter Frank Maloney is American Tony Thompson, who has twice fought Wladimir for his world titles. Like Chisora, Thompson would be a tough assignment and would tell us whether Price should be competing at the world level or is just another hype job.
Fury vs. Price?
What British fight fans are really hoping for though is a clash between the two rivals, and it could well happen towards the end of 2013. It is arguably the most lucrative domestic fight that can be made and Frank Maloney has already seen Fury reject an offer of £650,000 to take on his charge.
Both promoters would be wise to wait till the latter half of the year to schedule the fight, because despite both fighters being big draws in the boxing world, neither has yet made the transition to household name. This has the potential to all change in the first half of next year though.
Fury could claim the WBC title, especially if Vitali steps away from the ring, while it’s not inconceivable to think Price might also get a world title shot, as he is slowly beginning to make his way onto Wladimir’s radar. With a world title on the line the dust-up would undoubtedly become the most lucrative in British History, and for that reason it seems unwise to make the fight before at least one of the foes has fought a Klitschko. A loss against one of the brothers, barring a brutal knockout, does little to change the current situation, while a world title would increase interest and earnings exponentially.
If the two do meet in the ring next year, it has all the makings of a classic. Both are giants of the ring with Fury measuring 6 ft 9 and Price only an inch shorter. The minimal height difference should negate the advantage either man normally receives from their jab, and lead to both taking risks in the hunt for victory.
Adding to the excitement is the fact that the rivals both possess a predatory instinct. Fury has stopped 70% of challengers, but it is Price who packs the more explosive punch, having KO’d his past 9 opponents, with 7 falling within the first 3 rounds. It would be interesting to see if either man could stand up to the other’s punches.
Fury on occasion has looked easy to hit, however, during his fight with heavy-handed Derek Chisora, his chin passed with flying colors. In regards to Price’s chin, the jury is still out, he has been dropped several times in the amateurs, including by Fury, and it will be interesting to see how he faresin a proper brawl.
Fans of the Liverpool fighter will argue that Price has the superior skill set of the two, and will use their amateur match-up as an example. Despite being dropped by Fury in that bout, Price went on to win the fight comfortably on points. Personally, I don’t think too much should be read into their only previous meeting, as the pros is a completely different ball game, and since turning professional both men have greatly improved.
If I was pushed to choose a winner should the fight happen tomorrow, I would probably side with Fury, but that’s said with little conviction. I’d choose the Manchester native purely based upon the fact that so far he has taken the more challenging fights. Admittedly, Price can’t be held accountable for his promoter Frank Maloney’s poor matchmaking, and can only beat what’s put before him.
However, if he doesn’t step up his quality of opponent before the potential domestic tussle, I just don’t think he will be ready to go toe to toe with Fury. The only thing that can be certain should the two meet in the ring, is that there’s bound to be fireworks.
