BY TIM PARSONS
British heavyweight, David Price, takes on undefeated Erkan Teper for the EBU crown tonight in a fight that can make or break him. At 6ft 8 inches, Price is a huge specimen with knock out power in his hands but faces a huge challenge when he meets the unbeaten German.
Price was on a winning streak of 15 fights with 13 Ko’s when he lost two consecutive fights in 2013 to American Tony Thompson, thereby bringing his stock down a lot. At the time, he was tipped as the heir apparent to Klitschko’s reign but his world came crashing down on him after the two knock out defeats. Thompson was and remains a live veteran who had never suffered knock out defeats, and only had 2 losses on his record to Wladimir Klitschko.
The fight tonight is very risky for Price, though potentially rewarding.if he is victorious. Teper at 6 ft 5 inches is unbeaten in 14 fights, and has knocked out 9 of his opponents. He will try and win a potentially very explosive fight against Price. Price must be credited for taking up this fight, and it reflects his confidence in his ability. Tyson Fury was offered an opportunity to Teper for the European title, but he vacated the European belt he won after beating Derek Chisora, in order to avoid the risk of a possible defeat ruining his chances of meeting Klitschko for the title fight. The decision by Team Fury to avoid Teper was probably advisable, though contradicts his usual rhetoric of being prepared to fight anybody whatever the risk.
Teper would have represented solid opposition for Fury, and David Price will deserve all the praise if he is victorious tonight in getting the European title.
