In a result that seemed eerily predictable when the fight was announced, David Price absolutely destroyed Audley Harrison in one round at the Echo Arena in Liverpool.
Price (14-0, 12 KO), 29, a 2008 Olympic bronze medalist and the current British and Commonwealth heavyweight champion, is known for the dynamite he carries in his right hand. And his frightening power was on full display against Harrison.
For Harrison (28-6, 21 KO), 40, who won gold at super heavyweight at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, this surely has to be the end of what was ultimately a disappointing professional career. Despite capturing the World Boxing Foundation (WBF) and European titles during his career, Harrison has lost, often embarrassingly, every time he has stepped up to the world level.
To Harrison's credit, he came out more aggressive than usual against Price. As both men tried to find a home for their jabs in the center of the ring, Harrison, a southpaw, threw two purposeful left hands that came up short.
Price, however, followed up by stalking forward and landing his trademark straight right hand, which Harrison leaned directly into. As soon as the punch landed, Harrison was on unsteady legs and backed up to the ropes.
On the ropes, a helpless Harrison tried to slip punches and return fire with a few of his own. But once he resorted to keeping a high guard without holding on, Price connected with two more right hands. In a frightening scene, Harrison crumpled along the ropes and was down for a few minutes before being helped onto his stool.
Before lambasting Harrison with insults, he should be acknowledged for paving the way for the amateur success that Price and, more recently, Anthony Joshua have enjoyed at the Olympics. While Harrison's losses to Price, David Haye and Michael Sprott were especially embarrassing, he did genuinely go out on his shield against Price.
Granted, Harrison never lived up to his potential as a professional. And for that he can be criticized. However, his stubborn self-belief was oddly endearing, and he perhaps achieved more success than some would have thought realistic as far back as the mid-2000s.
As for Price, the sky appears to be the limit at this point. Despite only 14 career fights, he appears ready for any top-10 contender, and it seems plausible that he could present the Klitschko brothers with their stiffest challenge after a few more fights.
A domestic showdown with rival Tyson Fury would be a huge fight in the UK, but the question is: Who is going to be eager to stand up to Price's awesome power?
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