• David Price v Tony Thompson

Price loses unbeaten record in stunning defeat

David Price suffered his first defeat as a professional © PA Photos

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Highly-regarded heavyweight prospect David Price suffered a huge blow to his professional career on Saturday, as he was knocked out in the second round by the 41-year-old Tony Thompson.

Price, who was previously unbeaten, was felled by a strong right from the American midway through the second round and - although he stumbled back to his feet - the referee had little choice but to stop the fight as the Liverpool native struggled to regain his balance.

"It was a freak punch," said Price afterwards. "The fight hadn't even got started.

"It's heavyweight boxing and anything can happen."

Price's promoter, Frank Maloney, subsequently revealed that the decisive punch had perforated Price's left eardrum.

While it would perhaps be unfair to characterise Thompson's victory as the result of one lucky punch, Price did dominate the early exchanges, landing some punishing blows on his opponent before surprisingly being stunned by the overhand right to the side of his head that ultimately ended the contest.

Thompson - making his return to the ring after losing to Wladimir Klitschko for the second time in his career last year - may now target a third world title shot but for Price, who was reportedly already in discussions over a meeting with Dereck Chisora as his next stepping stone, may now need to reconsider his route to the very top of the division.

Celebrating a victory that stunned the partisan crowd at the Echo Arena, Thompson called out Tyson Fury - Price's rival in the heavyweight division.

"I took care of David Price like I said I would," Thompson noted. "Now I want that sissy Tyson Fury next. He's been talking a lot of noise and I want him next."

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