UNBEATEN HOPEFULS PRICE-DALLAS CLASH SATURDAY
BRITISH boxing’s top two heavyweight prospects David Price and Tom Dallas will meet in a British heavyweight title eliminator at Liverpool Olympia on Saturday night (June 11).
Chatham’s Dallas (15-0) has stepped in at four days’ notice after John McDermott was forced to withdraw from his contest against Liverpool’s Price (10-0) because of a throat infection.
It is rare for such match ups to be made so early in careers and promoter Frank Maloney said: “Tom deserves all the credit in the world for stepping in and David gets praise for taking it having prepared for weeks to face John.
“It is matches like this what will get British boxing back in the national newspapers. If there sparring sessions I have witnessed are anything to go by, fans and TV viewers will see plenty of action on Saturday night.
“Someone will lose their unbeaten record, but it won’t mean the end of a career. David and Tom are true professionals.”
The fight is a repeat if the 2006 ABA final when Olympic bronze medallist Price won a points decision over Dallas.
The winner must face McDermott by the end of October in what will become a final eliminator for Dereck Chisora’s title.
Maloney added: “There will be people doubting John, but he is not in a habit of pulling out of fights.
“I remember he was going through some personal worries before he boxed Matt Skelton and never cried off.
“His team told me on Monday there was a problem and that he may not be fit enough, but wanted to wait until Tuesday before deciding, but he isn’t well enough.
“It is a shame for him because he had put in a lot of work under new trainer Jason Rowland.”
In the co-main event Paul Edwards (8-0) makes the first defence of his British flyweight title against Commonwealth champ Chris Edwards (15-14-3)
Other fighters on the talent stacked card include Derry Mathews (27-5) who boxes George Watson (8-4-2), Karl Place (13-0) who comes up against Chad Gaynor (5-0), Rick Godding (13-0), John Quigley (2-0), Liam Vaughan (2-0), Ryan Farrag (3-0) and Anthony Smith.
The show will be televised live by Sky Sports.
Tickets priced £35 and £65 are available0871 226 1508 or www.frankmaloney.com
