TONY THOMPSON will be fighting to save his boxing career when he collides with British and Commonwealth heavyweight champion David Price this weekend.
The top ten ranked pair clash over 12 rounds in Price’s (15-0) backyard at Liverpool’s Echo Arena on Saturday night.
Thompson (36-2) lost in six rounds to Wladimir Klitschkolast summer – his second defeat in world championship challenges against the number one heavyweight.
And he doesn’t need reminding where his career will be if Price inflicts a second consecutive loss on the Washington DC southpaw.
Thompson, 41, said “This is my last chance saloon, but I don’t have to say that.
“It is clear and the only way I can change that is to win.
“I started boxing as a club fighter, but I am not going to finish my career that way.
“The fire is still there because I find it hard coming to grips knowing that if I lose to Price I have to quit.
“To stay on this big stage, I have to beat big time boxers like Price.”
Thompson claims he under-performed when he lost to Klitschko last summer, having gone 11 rounds in their first meeting back in July 2008.
There have been several changes in his team and he is in Britain with new trainers Carlos Diez and Charlie Mooney – a 1976 Olympic bantamweight silver medallist.
Thompson added: “I never got into the second Klitschko fight mentally. People are used to seeing me aggressive in the ring and I never got to that point.
“I had my kids with me and I was more a father than a fighter that day.
“I have left them at home for this fight and there’s new voices in the corner that believe in me and will push me.
A stacked bill sees Darren Hamilton (12-2) put his British light-welterweight crown on the line against another Liverpool fighter, Steve Williams (13-1).
Kevin Satchell (9-0) risks his British and Commonwealth flyweight titles against in-form Belfast man Luke Wilton (13-2-1)
Adil Anwar (18-1) who hopes to challenge the winner also boxes Welsh hopeful Lance Sheehan (5-1) over ten rounds.
Others boxers on the bill includes David Burke (26-2), Sean Dodd (4-0), Louis Cuddy (6-0), Neil Perkins (2-0), Steven Lewis (2-0), Andy Colquhoun (5-0) and Peter Gallagher (1-0).
Tickets can be purchased £230 (VIP including meal and inner ringside seat), £95 (Ringside), £70 and £40 at www.echoarena.com www.frankmaloney.com or 0844 8000 400.
The show will be broadcast live by the home of boxing BoxNation (Sky 437/Virgin 546). Join now atwww.boxnation.com. WealthTV will be broadcasting the card live in the United States.
Thompson vs. Price on Saturday: Last chance for Tony?
By Daniel Mole: Dudley light middleweight, Kyle Spencer, is looking to build on his solid start to life as a professional boxer when he boxes at Burton Town Hall next Friday.
‘The Style’ appears on the undercard of Luke Gallear and Joel Ryan’s Midland Area Welterweight Title fight on Friday, 1st March looking to record a fifth straight victory.
The 23 year-old’s last outing was a convincing points win over William Warbuton back in November and he can’t wait to be back in the ring.
“I’m really looking forward to getting back in there,” he told www.uko-boxining.com. “I haven’t been in the ring since I beat Warburton back in November but I’ve been sparring some decent lads and that’s kept me sharp.
“I’ve got rounds in against Andrew Robinson, Chris Male and Steve Pearce. They are all quality lads, so that’s helped.
“I want to be busy this year. I’ve only just turned 23. I’ve got plenty of time and I want to do things the right way. I want to build myself up and develop as a fighter. I’m on a winning streak, so long may that continue.”
Spencer faces Swadlincote rookie, Jimmy Price, on the Burton Bill. 19 year-old Price has only had one professional fight to date. That was back in September 2011 when he drew with fellow debutant, Chris Jenkinson.
After such inactivity, Price is something of an unknown but Spencer won’t be underestimating his opponent.
“I don’t know much about him,” he added. “He’s had one fight and drew that, so he’s a bit of an unknown. I won’t be going in there all guns blazing.
“I’ll suss him out first and then work on my game plan. I’m at that stage of my career when I just need ring experience and to build my record.
“I’ve never fought at Burton Town Hall but I’m told there’s a cracking atmosphere there. I’m looking forward to the experience.”
As well as Spencer versus Price and Gallear versus Ryan, Tamworth’s Matt Seawright (3-69-4) takes on Exeter’s Faheem Khan (4-0-1) and Burton’s Tom Shaw (8-1) will also be in action.
Tickets for the Errol Johnson-Promoted Show are priced at £30 unreserved seating and £50 Ringside. They are available from Burton Town Hall Box Office on 0128 350 8547. Doors open at 7.00pm with boxing commencing at 8.00pm.
