Price Looms Large On British Scene After Crushing McDermott

In a big British heavyweight clash last evening, former Olympic hero David Price captured the vacant English crown with a devastating performance against former title holder John McDermott at the Olympia in Liverpool, England.

The towering 6’8 tall Price, who was fighting at this hometown venue for the third straight time, had finished off his last five opponents inside the distance but had yet to meet someone as experienced as McDermott, who held the English belt in 2008 and was coming off a first round Southern Area title win against Larry Olubamiwo in February.

Despite the long layoff, McDermott showed no ringrust as he came out using the jab and although being much shorter, had little trouble connecting with the punch.

However, the Essex man was not so accurate with two over hand rights he threw in short order. On his third attempt, McDermott nailed Price full but immediately caught a big right uppercut and a short counter left hook on the side of the head which sent McDermott to the canvas.

McDermott easily beat the count, and Price came after him with all guns blazing but McDermott connected with a jab and right hand. Price was undeterred and kept swinging wildly, catching his rival with a clubbing right to the ear.

McDermott fell heavily to the mat this time, pounding the floor in frustration as he stood up at the count of six on wobbly legs.

Price was much more composed this time in his post knockdown attack, standing off and allowing McDermott to jab before countering with a heavy right hand that again floored McDermott.

Despite the huge right hand that he had just absorbed, McDermott was back up at the count of nine but referee Howard Foster waved off the bout at 1:13 of the opening frame.

With the victory, Price, 12-0 (10), is the new English heavyweight champion while McDermott, 26-8 (17), has now dropped five of his last six appearances.

Also on the bill, southpaw Paddy McDonagh, 8-0 (0), annexed the vacant Irish light heavy strap with a 99-91 points victory after ten rounds against former belt holder John Waldron, 5-7 (2), who has now lost his last five bouts.

Ex-British bantamweight champion Martin Power, 22-7 (10), saw his return to super flyweight, after more than a decade at higher weights, end badly as he was dropped in the second round and outpointed 59-55 in a six-rounder by local man Kevin Satchell, 7-0 (0).