Price stops World Number one in Second by Kevin Taylor Aug 13th 2008

Liverpudlian David Price took a big step towards an Olympic medal by stopping reigning European champion and pre-tournament favourite Islam Timurziev in the second round of their Super-heavyweight contest. Price started well behind the jab but although it looked like he landed a couple of good left hook, especially one to the body, he found himself 2-0 down at the end of the first round to the more experienced Russian. The 6ft 7in captain of the GB team started the second more promisingly and an overhand right put the Russian down and he was forced to take a standing eight count from referee Wang Jiabo of China. Looking for the knockout Price missed with a hook but then landed with a jab, and the Russian once again tasted the canvas and as the referee once again administered the standard eight count he decided he had seen enough and called it off just thirty-one seconds into the second round. Price could not contain his joy at the result although the Russian looked stunned by the decision to halt the bout and it certainly looked like an early stoppage. Price will now face Lithuanian Jaroslav Jaksto, who reached the quarter-finals at the World Championships in Chicago, in the last eight, knowing another victory will earn him a medal. Jaksto beat Nigerian Onoriode Ohwarieme 11-1 on points in his fight. Price was still stunned by his victory when he spoke to the assembled press, "I can't believe it, I've got belief in my ability, but he never gets knocked out. "I was a bit suprised he wasn't allowed to continue, but the referee knows what he's doing. "I've just got to stay focused now for my next fight."

Go back Comment on this article | Send to a friend | Print

There are no comments. Click here to be the first who comment on this article.