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14/04/2008
Price qualifies for Beijing
"Dynamite" Dave Price, Salisbury PC, Liverpool, became an Olympian with a businesslike display of boxing, when he defeated 2006 World Junior Champion, Romania's, Cristian Ciocan, in Athens on Friday night. David now joins his seven colleagues who have already qualified for Beijing, they qualified either at the World Championships in Chicago last November or in Pescara a month ago.
Price's performance was just what was required to achieve success against the very live, hard hitting, Romanian. Ciocan came out for the first round clearly intent on knocking the big Liverpudlian out of his stride. A fierce attack from head to body and back again saw Ciocan winging heavy shots at Price, with David backed up against the ropes. Dynamite stayed calm, tucked up and got his own straight left going, when Ciocan looked to take a breather. David's, calm under fire defense and accurate punches gave the Scouser a 4 - 1 lead at the end of the first round. A lead Price built on throughout the contest.
When David forced the Romanian to retreat, Dave punished Ciocan with hard straight head shots, throwing in the odd body shot for good measure.
Round two was even more ferocious than the first round. Two big right hands caught Price, one of which was flush on Dynamite's chin, David took the punch well. A right upper cut from Price did considerable damage to Ciocan's nose, forcing the referee to call for a doctor's inspection. Price had maintained his lead and had met Ciocan's fiery bursts with a maturity that bodes well for David's prospects at the Olympics.
Whilst the contest was still competitive, Price had finished round two 8 - 5 up and had established control over the Romanian. The final two rounds saw Price increase his lead as the power of David's punches had taken their toll on a tiring Ciocan.
12 - 5 at the end of the third round became 15 - 6 by the conclusion of a quality super heavyweight contest. Both boxers are carrying injuries from this tough bout, David with a gash inside his mouth. This was not a contest for the timid, it was a fitting way for the giant Liverpudlian to qualify for Beijing.
After the contest Price said: " It's a dream come true - sweeter because of the length of time it's taken, which is a blessing in disguise as I'm fight hardened, competition hardened and mentally stronger for all the aggro. I'm convinced that I can win gold in Beijing."
A delighted Terry Edwards said: " It's been a long road for David with lots of disappointments. It's finally come for him. He's stayed strong and focused, not only is he going to Beijing, he will medal there"