The end result was the same and we probably all made money on it BUT.... I did see some marked improvements in Price. His shot selection was good, he went to the body well, and he managed to drop Hammer by gritting his teeth as he was falling apart, the fact that didn't inspire him to win is where the positives end. I still think finished as a top level fighter, from round 2 appeared tired and Coldwell trying to keep him in fight mentally even though at that point was doing well, and did eventually fall apart.
Yeah I have time for price ( and yes partly because i again made a decent money last night). I don't think he should retire yet. As well as his fitness his mind just isn't right. I still think he's a good gatekeeper
I agree. It was a shame because he used some of his attributes really well. The disappointing thing for me was the lack of jab to keep hammer at range and he didn't control the fight like he should've. Most likely to be over now for him.
What level is he a gatekeeper for? Hammer is a gatekeeper for Euro level IMO so where does that leave Price? Whyt and Chisora would beat him and at this point who would rule out the ever game Dave Allen from lasting 4 rounds and then pushing him over?
Well I agree with the original poster - bit of fitness he beats hammer. Obvious at top level AJ, klitschko and fury pummel him. But gatekeeper for world level
He can't beat any of the top British guys due to chin and can't beat anyone beneath that level due to his stamina which I don't think he can fix, if he could then he would of by now. Whether that's a mental thing or physical thing is irrelevant.
@Price is back I hope you're not taking this too badly. At the end of the day he managed to finish on his feet and went home safe and sound. There are plenty of other boxers out there for you to support. I wouldn't suggest getting behind Bellew though considering he's not got long left at the top table either. If you need a local lad I guess Callum Smith is your best shot right now.
would say the biggest problem he had earlier in his career going from bums to a durable gatekeeper like Thompson, always felt price's prospects ended when Thompson got back up from the knockdown in the second fight, that hammer knockdown last night earlier in the round could have led to him finishing hammer off but his gas tank ran out. If boxing was a 4 round sport he'd be fine, sadly for him it isn't, time for him to hang them up unless he wants to risk becoming a joke figure.
I had money on Price to lose via KO but only because the odds were good. When he had hammer on the floor I stood up and cheered, would have been very very happy to lose my bet at that point. I also thought he had made improvements at least in shot selection. Better Jab. He was a bit one dimensional in his footwork, only moving straight back when under pressure rather than escaping out the side and obviously his mental conditioning/ physical conditioning was way off. It would be interesting to see what he trains like. I wounder if he does do 12 rounds sparring regularly and it is all mental exhaustion. Maybe needs to be pushed more sparring, get some proper gut check spars done away from the bright lights. Does anybody know his main sparing partners? Its not just Bellew is it?
Away from bright lights? The opposite, I think. From what is said, Price steamrollers everyone in the gym and works behind the jab and can go 12 rounds well. It's the bright lights that are the problem - he gets tight on fight night. Instead of tucking up and working in isolation, I'd prescribe every workout and spar done with maximum people and pressure possible. Full immersion.
I don't think he'd be seen as a gatekeeper going forward because of his stamina or lack of it. He's only gone past six rounds three times. It's a shame Prize Fighter isn't around anymore- he'd stand a chance in that format. As it stands it's unlikely the Sauerlands will keep him fighting British level guys for decent money. Retirement beckons.
The fact that some people can see "improvements" in Price off the Hammer fight just underlines how dreadful a fighter he's always been. The only thing Price ever had in the pros, in my opinion, was the fact that he actually looked the part, at 6'8 and 248 he had a fairly lean muscular physique. Now he doesn't even look impressive in that respect, just another fat heavyweight. I just hope he can find something else to do with his life.
