Price and Dallas win but Kenna troubles Campbell

Three Maloney heavyweight hopefuls gave contrasting performances at The Toxy on Saturday night.

2008 Olympic bronze medallist David Price now 8-0, sparkled as he produced his best paid display to date in stopping Belarusian Raman Sukhaterin at 2.44 of the seventh round.

(Images copyright Leigh Dawney Photography)

The Belarusian had previously never been stopped and took former British heavyweights Henry Akinwande and Pele Reid the distance.

Promoter Frank Maloney claimed last week that he would match Price with any British heavyweight except David Haye and threw down the gauntlet to Derek Chisora who challenges Wladimir Klitschko for his world crowns on December 11th.

“If I was offered a fight against Derek Chisora I would take it in a heartbeat, and expect David to win.”

At the time I laughed but last night Price (17st 9lbs) gave a text book demonstration of a technically gifted heavyweight, boxing beautifully behind his long powerful jab and remaining composed as promoter Frank Maloney stood instructing and encouraging from ringside.

The 6ft 8in man resisted the temptation to fight at close range and to go for an early finish, remaining content to pick scoring shots and combinations with sublime accuracy.

In the seventh round Price quickly upped the tempo and threw uppercuts and jabs which Sukhaterin (16st 1b) did well to remain upright from.

Sensing the climax Maloney shouted “Step on him David.”

The student obeyed in quick fashion with successive shots to Sukhaterin’s head and body prompting referee Phil Edwards intervention at 2.44.

Price has convinced me he is a star in the making and I am not alone with Derek Chisora’s trainer Don Charles also an admirer as he recently told me that 'Price is the best of the current heavyweight prospects.'

The fight programme suggested he will face John McDermott in his next contest, but Larry Olubamiwo is also being lined up for McDermott.

Last week Maloney also said he wants to make a match with English champion Tyson Fury.

Price won three ABA titles and defeated Fury during the 2006 ABA’s. He also holds a win over Tom Dallas.

The British and Commonwealth titles held by Derek Chisora could soon be up for grabs if he vacates.

Both Price and Maloney will rightly fancy their domestic chances against anyone.

Price is cool, calm and collected. He is not one for all the hype and noise.

But he is going to produce damaging heavyweight thunder storms in the ring.

Tom Dallas unimpressively moved to 12-0 with a third round stoppage of cruiserweight Paul Morris.

The 25-year-old Chatham hard hitter looked sluggish and took a flush left at the start.

Morris (14st 1b) found Dallas (16st 8lbs) an easy hittable target and troubled him with his speed.

I gave Morris a share of the first two rounds but his bubble burst quickly in the third round, when a heavy Dallas right hand nearly dropped him although he did briefly fight back to rock Dallas’ head back.

The sudden end came at 2.55 when a Dallas right was followed by a jab and one more right, causing referee Mark Greene to halt proceedings as he fell towards the ropes.

Morris who came in at short notice gave a good account of himself but worryingly for Dallas he looked out of sorts yet needs better opposition than a six fight cruiserweight who weighed just 13st 8lbs in his last outing a month ago.

I have been present at several of Tom’s outings and was impressed on each occasion and felt he would be the quiet underdog who rises to the top.

Dallas though needs some rounds under his belt with experienced, yet not too dangerous opponents, men who can take his heavy blasts, and give him something to think about.

Names like Matt Skelton come to mind or the recent Prizefighter contestant Franklin Egobi.

Promoter Frank Maloney would contend that making matches is not easy and while that is somewhat true, there is little point in padding fighters records who could then be ill equipped when they finally step up.

Derek Chisora has now only had two fights more than Dallas and he’s about to challenge for boxing’s top prize in a bout few give him a chance, but a top tennis player once said ‘risk brings reward.’

Over to you Frank!

Damian Campbell was fortunate to get a draw against faded Irishman Colin kenna who last May was taken out in one by Larry Olubamiwo.

In only his second outing the two time ABA finalist was wide open and looked rattled early on in the first round after shipping several hard head shots.

Campbell looked a little fleshy at (17st 10lbs) but was out-done in that department by Kenna. (17st 10lbs) Kenna’s trainer revealed afterwards his man hadn’t trained for this fight but it was still enough to trouble Campbell with right hands and a three punch combination in the second round.

Campbell had his best three minutes in the fourth producing some eye-catching and powerful let hands.

I gave Kenna the opener and a share of the second. Referee Phil Edwards had a similar log in his 38-38 tally which adds up at two rounds apiece.

Campbell can be grateful he was the house fighter. Kenna deserves a well earned rematch.

(Images copyright Leigh Dawney Photography)