This would probably be Price from just before the Thompson fight when he had momentum and was more confident, and probably Bellew from the Haye fights. Who wins this matchup?
If we're talking about pre-Thompson David Price — the version who blasted out McDermott, Sexton, Audley and Skelton in under 8 rounds total — then I genuinely think he beats Bellew 7 times out of 10. But the key is, he has to approach it like it's a 3-4 round shootout. After that, his tank's empty, and Bellew, being the smart and durable fighter he is, would just survive and take him out late. Price’s problem was never power — that was elite. It was confidence, cardio, and composure under pressure. But if he went into fights with the mindset of, 'I’ve got four rounds to end this or I’m done,' I think he knocks most people out. Not every fight would go his way, but he’d be a nightmare for anyone in those early rounds. Against Bellew (from the Haye fights), that blueprint could work. Bellew isn't a natural heavyweight, and if Price lands clean early, it’s lights out. The other three times? Bellew does what he does best: stays smart, rides the storm, and breaks him down. But Price’s early form, pre-Thompson, was destructive — people forget how terrifying he looked back then.
Price quite easily. Saw the confidence drained, nervous energy burning Price go 10 rounds with some big lump once was quite comfortable, Allen fight was similar. I don’t think Bellew would trouble him enough to make him gas. I think Price would outbox him at a comfortable pace. That quick, razor sharp, spiteful Price who destroyed the domestic lot walks through him easily I think.
This isn’t just any Echo Arena, this is M and S arena Donchaknowww. Will forever be ‘The Echo’ though.