Tony Thompson KOs David Price

Tony Thompson file photo by StiffJab.com

by Gautham Nagesh

Huge news from across the pond: veteran D.C. heavyweight contender Tony “The Tiger” Thompson has shocked unbeaten British prospect David Price. Thompson knocked out the towering Englishman with a right hand to the neck in round two, according to multiple sources on Twitter.[[MORE]]

Price reportedly stumbled to his feet but was unable to gather his legs, forcing the ref to stop the fight. Few gave Thompson a chance in this matchup, since Price was widely considered one of the top two or three heavyweight prospects in the world. The 2008 Olympic bronze medalist was expected to thrill his hometown fans in Liverpool, but instead suffered a setback similar to the one experienced by Maryland heavyweight Seth Mitchell against Johnathon Banks in November.

Despite his 6'8" frame and decorated amateur background, Price had never been in the ring with anyone close to Thompson’s level. Thompson has just two losses since 2000, both to heavyweight kingpin Wladimir Kltischko.The cagey veteran has good pop and is no tiny heavyweight himself, giving up just three inches to the enormous Price.

Because these are heavyweights, it’s never smart to draw conclusions from a single knockout. But those that watched the fight on Wealth TV have already started questioning Price’s chin, a criticism that will no doubt linger until he proves himself against another big puncher. Whether this was just an instance of Price getting caught by a lucky shot, or evidence of a fundamental flaw, remains to be seen.

Regardless, Thompson’s KO will shake up the heavyweight world, where Tyson Fury and Bryant Jennings are now the brightest young hopes. It also puts the coda on perhaps the best weekend of boxing in Washington, D.C. for a very long time.

Related Articles: