The first major fight night of 2013 takes place this Saturday (February 23) as eight international heavyweights vie for the Betfair Prizefighter trophy, while David Price continues his ascent through the heavyweight ranks.
Sky Sports has live coverage of the 29th edition of the popular Prizefighter format from York Hall in Bethna Green, which features two former winners of the competition in Audley Harrison and Martin Rogan.
British heavyweight champion Price makes a significant step-up in class as the Liverpulian faces seasoned American fighter Tony Thompson at the Echo Arena, which tops a bumper card exclusively live on BoxNation.
Full details below:
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Former Olympic gold medallist Audley Harrison will be among the field boxing in the third edition of Prizefighter – International Heavyweights at Bethnal Green’s York Hall on Saturday night.
Harrison is now 41 and will know that this tournament represents one of his last chances to leave the sport on a high after suffering a brutal knockout defeat to British and Commonwealth champion David Price in October.
He’ll no doubt hope to replicate the form that landed him the coveted Prizefighter trophy in October 2009.
That success paved the way for a WBA world title fight with David Haye the following year, and a similar result here would represent a significant achievement after his recent shortcomings.
Another former Prizefighter winner, Martin Rogan, will be in the eight-man quick-fire event.
Also 41, Rogan has previously beaten Harrison and went five rounds with Tyson Fury in April.
Harrison and Rogan will be joined by the likes of Londoner Ian Lewison and American fighter Travis Walker, as well as Claus Bertino, Timo Hoffmann, Derric Rossy and Albert Sosnowski.
Poland’s former WBF World title holder Sosnowski has fought 54 times in his 15 years as a professional, including a shot at the WBC belt against Vitali Klitschko in 2010.
German Hoffmann also has considerable ring experience having boxed 342 rounds in his 50-fight career.
Also in action at York Hall will be former Team GB Olympic captain Tom Stalker as he makes his professional debut on the undercard in a four-round clash against Kristian Laight.
Gary Newbon presents live coverage on Sky Sports 1 HD from 8pm, with analysis from Glenn McCrory and Johnny Nelson, and commentary from Nick Halling and Jim Watt.
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The ‘Next Big Thing’ in heavyweight boxing David Price fights another experienced and difficult opponent in the form of 41-year-old American Tony Thompson, exclusively live on BoxNation from Liverpool’s Echo Arena.
The giant Liverpudlian once again fights in front of a local crowd as he looks to build towards a possible World title challenge in 2013.
Standing before him is the vastly experienced and tough Tony Thompson, a southpaw with 36 wins and who has only twice been knocked out in his career.
Both of those fights were against the might of Wladimir Klitschko, including a July 2012 challenge for all four of the Ukrainian heavyweight king’s World titles which ended in the sixth.
Price, 29, is the reigning British and Commonwealth Heavyweight Champion after back-to-back stoppages against Audley Harrison and Matt Skelton.
He will enter the bout as the narrow favourite, largely thanks to his home advantage, and look to make the most of his superior height and reach against the left-hander.
A win over Thompson would provide the perfect platform for Price to move from British and Commonwealth to the elite level in the heavyweight division.
There a number of intriguing and exciting opponents lie in wait, including a potential grudge match against fellow Englishman and heavyweight contender Tyson Fury.
Also on the night, two 24-year-old British fighters battle it out for the British Flyweight Championship as the main undercard to Price v Thompson.
Kevin Satchell is looking to defend the British title he won in the same venue in October, also on a David Price undercard. That night, he defeated Chris Edwards in the sixth round having sent him to the canvas in the preceding stanza.
The challenger, Luke Wilton, a Northern Irishman, will enter the ring with a 13-2-1 record and having never been stopped.
It’s undoubtedly the biggest fight of his career so far, and only the second time he’s fought outside the Republic or Northern Ireland after an ill-fated 2009 trip to Luton saw him out-pointed after a four-rounder against Delroy Spencer.
Also in action will be Bristol’s Darren Hamilton. After taking a surprise UD win over Ashley Theophane last May to win the British Light-Welterweight title, Hamilton looks to defend his belt for the first time against local fighter, and former English champion, Williams.
Hamilton prevailed over Theophane after a hard fought 12-rounder back in May which raised plenty of eyebrows.
The 34-year-old had to dig deep that night, disrupting Theophane’s usual fluidity and rhythm to claim a priceless British title win.
Merseysider Steve Williams will enjoy the backing of a local crowd in this one.
The former English champion has a 13-1 record, with his sole career defeat coming during his first British title challenge against Lenny Daws, which he lost after a 10th round retirement.
Jim Rosenthal presents live coverage from Liverpool’s Echo Arena, with commentary from John Rawling and Paul Smith, plus analysis from Steve Bunce and Steve Lillis.
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