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Tony Thompson shocks David Price with second-round knockout

By Marc HigginsonBBC Sport at the Echo Arena

Last updated on .From the section Boxingcomments54

David Price (left) is knocked down by Tony Thompson

Great Britain's David Price was sensationally knocked out in the second round of his fight against American Tony Thompson to suffer the first defeat of his professional career.

The 6ft 8ins heavyweight had won all 15 of his previous fights.

But he was floored by a right hook to the side of the head at the Echo Arena in Liverpool.

Price, 29, failed to connect with a right hook of his own and was knocked to the canvas by a sucker-punch.

Despite getting back to his feet, the Beijing Olympian was clearly shaken and in no fit shape to continue and was counted out by the referee.

The knockout silenced the expectant home crowd and will damage Liverpudlian Price's aspirations of fighting for a world title before the end of the year.

Thompson has fought for two world titles of his own - both times beaten by heavyweight king Wladimir Klitschko - and the 41-year-old appeared as surprised as anyone that he had caused such an upset.

Looking flabby, he had barely thrown a shot in anger in the opening round with both fighters happy to have an early look at each other.

It appeared Price was starting to assert some dominance early in the second round when he pushed Thompson back on to the ropes with one of his trademark rights and set to work on unloading some body shots.

Thompson managed to work his way out of trouble and, when Price failed to connect with another right hook, he floored the Briton with a counter.

It initially appeared an innocuous shot, but it soon became apparent that Price was in trouble - his legs struggling to hold his giant frame as he was raised from the canvas.

It later emerged the punch had perforated Price's ear drum.

Thompson, obviously delighted by one of the best victories of his long career, then raced around the ring shouting: "I told you so," to the silenced spectators.

Price and his team must now make sense of this defeat as they attempt to plot a new route towards a world title shot.

The night ended on a further sour note for Price's camp with promoter Frank Maloney being treated by paramedics after falling ill.

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54 comments

  • Comment posted by User0089917657, at 23:48 23 Feb 2013

    watsondavid: sure he can come back, but Price reminds me of Bruno. Same chiselled physique, boxing in straight lines behind a jab and looking for the KO with the right. He needs another dimension at world level. Thompson - an out of shape Thompson - drew him in, stepped to the right and used the angle to land the hook. For me, Price needs a proper trainer not a mate from his amateur days.

  • Comment posted by 1eriugenus, at 23:44 23 Feb 2013

    Had a few bob on Thompson.
    Mad to think wins over Audley & Skelton deserved a fight with someone who'd ONLY lost to Klitschkos.
    Even so, fell apart alarmingly, can't favour v Haye or Fury or even Chisora really.

  • Comment posted by Nimrod, at 00:18 24 Feb 2013

    Gutted for Price. I'm a big fan and would really have liked to see a Brit progress in the heavy weight division. I hope he treats it like Khan and returns a better fighter. Also good to see Audley in good form. Not very exiting but very effective. I think this might be a good kick in the backside for Price.. Forget the hype and now come back better.

  • Comment posted by User0788870807, at 01:30 24 Feb 2013

    16 fights, 1 loss...but a big loss, it'll be a year or 2 until DP gets another viable shot at a title. He's talked the talk but couldn't walk the walk. No more bum fights though, he needs to be beating ex-world champs and title contenders, no more barry and waynes from essex! Lets see how good he is with proper pro's. As for Fury, he's only fought bums aswell.....and Audrey.....haha, whatever!

  • Comment posted by kal77uk, at 23:45 23 Feb 2013

    Looks like David Price got carried away by beating Audley Harrison.

  • Comment posted by Inter_32, at 23:57 23 Feb 2013

    Incredibly biased article, TT said before the fight he'd win, he was effectively shouting that he knew he'd win right after the KO, so how was he "as surprised as anyone"? Also, how was it a sucker punch, Price tried to punch him, didn't connect, TT punched back and hit him, counterpunch.

    Price has nothing to be ashamed of, TT will be in a new title fight very soon & DP will get his chance too

  • Comment posted by celtic_craig123, at 13:58 25 Feb 2013

    I suppose that when the Klitchkos have retired, Price may be in with a shot. I am no fan of the Bros K, but they are vastly superior to anyone else out there. The heavyweight division really is pretty awful these days. Price was being touted as a challenger for one or other K Brother, but was down and out from the first real punch thrown by a 41 year old on his way towards retirement. Very poor.

  • Comment posted by William_Smith, at 00:32 24 Feb 2013

    Glass Jaw. A proper world champ can hold big punches from the biggest punchers. I like price but he's not quite got it.

  • Comment posted by thegreatmeloni, at 07:57 24 Feb 2013

    Was surprised that David Price made it this far, having seem him being knocked down multiple times as an amateur. My money was always on Tony Thompson last night

    The knock out blow was hardly a punch but he went down just the same. Lets not make any excuses about a perforated ear drum.

    If any man catches him on the head, David Price will go down. Unfortunately, he has a glass jaw.

  • Comment posted by 1eriugenus, at 00:07 24 Feb 2013

    11 nice comment.
    Yeah, TT was surprised because he expected to land a glancing shot & for DP to move round the ring. In fact it landed flush.DP, like all too many white european fighters, didn't move his head at all.
    no 9 - yes, aren't you clever ? Lively up yourself

  • Comment posted by User0837260798, at 18:42 24 Feb 2013

    46 Jeff Harris

    I think you Misunderstood it's just the excuses boxers come out with its ridiculous there is always an excuse for some boxers and none for
    Others and clearly there are double standards you have to take it on the chin or the ear that he lost and that he is clearly not the finish article and these need to be pointed out to get him to the top especially when
    He is losing to nobodies

  • Comment posted by Lee, at 20:35 24 Feb 2013

    seriously is anyone surprised bye this, any of you who have followed boxing for some years will know that both Tyson fury and David Price really are very, very average fighters, nice guys they may be, but really, sorry lads but you really are not good enough, if this is all we have at this weight then we are really are struggling, in a time of average H/W boxers, these guys are averagely average!

  • Comment posted by User0065104760, at 23:37 23 Feb 2013

    Unlucky night for the big man. Tyson Fury will have plenty to say about it so will Harrison now he is Prize Fighter champ again. I don't think it is a big set back, just the heavy weight game, one punch is all it takes.

  • Comment posted by Feel MaDullTie, at 23:57 23 Feb 2013

    @9 say that to Price then..... you've got time on your hands now that you're BANNED.

  • Comment posted by User0118419881, at 23:43 23 Feb 2013

    Only in heavyweight boxing! David Haye, Tyson Fury and dare I say Audley Harrison must be on commercial overdrive!!! Whilst it will not be a repeat of the past decades of real heavyweight excitement it certainly makes for an interesting 2013, lets just hope promoter/media politics don't get in the way of true entertainment for the real fans.

  • Comment posted by User0311077354, at 02:11 24 Feb 2013

    One of the best things about MMA is that you can't duck the best fighters in your weight division. Either you fight them, or you never get a name. I enjoy boxing, but Froch seems to be the only fighter out there trying to scrap with the best guys.

  • Comment posted by Stoney, at 05:31 24 Feb 2013

    Very disappointing from Price. I really thougt he was the one. In his defence, I suffered a perforated ear drum some years ago and It affected my balance quite drastically. I can still get dizzy spells when I have a cold or when there are sudden changes in air pressure, like on an aeroplane. Having said all that I'm still worried if Price can take a punch. He went over a few times in the amateurs.

  • Comment posted by 51mo, at 08:27 24 Feb 2013

    Do any of you idiots know the effects of a perforated ear drum ? No thought not ! Bet most of you have never thrown a punch or been hit either ! Price is our next chance of a H/w champion I hope this gives him a bit more hunger , maybe it is thime for him to fight Fury just to shut up some of you lot and show you the different levels these 2 are at !

  • Comment posted by User0188529741, at 01:06 24 Feb 2013

    I've never rated Price, and he got what he deserved, all he has done in his career so far, is fight bums, the moment he comes up against someone decent, he get's ko'd, he would get destroyed by any of the Kilitchkos, Fury would also destroy him, no contest.

  • Comment posted by Howard Sercombe, at 07:28 24 Feb 2013

    Price is firstly a gentleman, then a boxer. Both count. He will be back a better boxer.

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