David Price on the brink of retirement after Dereck Chisora forces him to throw in the towel after four rounds
DAVID PRICE must hang up his gloves after being pulled out of his all-British battle against Derek Chisora at the first sign of trouble.
The 6ft 8in powerhouse was dropped by an uppercut in the fourth round and pulled out by his corner after clambering to his feet but looking too hurt to continue.
The towel came in and the crowd roundly booed as it was the first time in the fight the 36-year-old had appeared in trouble.
It was Chisora’s 40th fight of a resurgent career but Price now has seven defeats on his CV, all have come inside the distance, and fans must be concerned for the brave man’s health.
Chisora admitted he was buzzed moments before the win, but insisted he carries the power to finish any of his rivals.
He said: “He buzzed me. Caught me with a beautiful uppercut.
“But this was my 40th fight, I’m an old boy.
“I came to seek and destroy. If I catch anyone, he’s gone.”
Price started worryingly slowly, refusing to use all his height and reach advantages and instead playing right into Del Boys heavy hands up close.
Even a boxing novice would have told the beanpole to use his superior jab against the smaller stockier man but the gun shy giant saw the opener out without stamping his authority on the round.
Chisora kept low, crouching, bobbing and weaving and that looking for his next huge knockout.
‘War’, as Chisora prefers to be known now, was warned for a low blow early in the second, an easy mistake to make when Price’s crotch is around his shoulder height.
Price finally threw a straight right hand toward the end of the second session and fans’ favourite Chisora earned a hopeful cheer when a looping right hand landed but did not do any obvious damage.
Price’s gameplan continued to baffle the crowd throughout the third as he tangled and tussled with the more bullish brawler and Chisora almost stopped him in the final seconds of the session.
A meaty left hook landed on his face and Price’s already-sullen eyes looked glazed but the bell rescued him from defeat.
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Price made a strong start to the fourth, catching Chisora with the sort of straight right hand his disappointing pro career has been crying out for.
But he failed to capitalise on his best moment of the fight and moments later was facing retirement.
Another needless clinch with Chisora left him getting clubbed with two short right hooks and an uppercut.
Price dipped to a knee before using the ropes to haul himself up but coach Joe McNally hurled in the white towel to get the action stopped.