Can Adam Booth Revitalise David Price’s Career?

David Price has hooked up with David Haye’s trainer Adam Booth in the hopes of getting his career back on track after back to back defeats, but how far has the Scouse heavyweight fallen and is it too late for the 30 year old?

Back to back defeats to American Tony Thompson derailed Price’s career, just as he was looking to make the jump to the next level.

Thought to be over the hill, Thompson’s 2nd round stoppage of Price in their first fight was seen as an anomaly, something the 2008 Olympian would rectify in their rematch. A favourite with fans making boxing bets at Topbet, Price started well and dropped Thompson early but ran out of gas and was out on his feet as referee Marcus McDonnell was forced to save Price from taking any more damage in the 5th round.

Having brought Lennox Lewis into camp to help him prepare for the fight, the loss was a huge disappointment and subsequently saw Price split with long time trainer Franny Smith as he took a hiatus from the ring. But this week Price has re-emerged with a new trainer in tow.

Adam Booth, the man that guided David Haye to cruiserweight and heavyweight honours, has been drafted in to rebuild Price’s career but how far can Price go now?

Speaking on the appointment, Price said:

“It’s a fresh start. I’ve got the passion back now and am looking forward to getting in shape and putting a few things right.

“To begin with, I contacted a handful of world-class trainers and asked Adam if I could have a chat and perhaps get some advice.

“So, after a brief chat, I brought up the idea of him possibly training me and we decided to have a meeting. I assumed he wanted to see what kind of frame of mind I was in.

“We did a few sessions together, just to see how it would work, and he then agreed to train me.

“I was made up about that because I know Adam is very selective when it comes to choosing fighters to work with.

“I’ve got a good feeling about this move, and truly believe Adam is the man to bring out my true potential.”

Seen as a future heavyweight champion, Price was touted for a showdown with loud mouth rival Tyson Fury but now finds himself back at square 1 whilst Fury presses forward so what will Booth help him with to get back to that level?

Still British and Commonwealth champion, Price now needs to not only his technical deficiencies but also his mental ones too as two knockout defeats in a row against opposition you are expected to beat will understandably be damaging:

“The mental side of the game is a big issue for me, and that’s something Adam spends a lot of time thinking about and working on.

“Even just sitting down and having a chat with him, I can tell we share a lot of the same ideas about the sport and about life. We’ve both got the same outlook, and this should make it very easy to gel.

“He has helped me get a few things off my chest recently, which has made me feel like the weight of the world has been lifted from my shoulders. It’s a good feeling.”

He will also need to get some rounds under his belt, learning to pace himself, something his awesome knockout power has robbed him of the chance to do. Price has gone the distance just twice, one being a 4 rounder and the other a 6 rounder, so will need to try hearing the final bell in 10 and 12 rounders so he gets the feel of it rather than it being a foreign experience and gassing out as he did against Thompson.

Price finds himself way off course but aged 30, is relatively young for a heavyweight. There is time for him to get back on course and with the right coach, he may realise his dream of heavyweight gold, especially with the Klitschko’s reign coming to an end.

A clash between Price and current European heavyweight champions Dereck Chisora has been ordered by the British Boxing Board of Control no later than February next year, somewhat unfortunate as Price will need a few fights under Booth to begin any real transformation but the fight is still winnable with his power.

And if he does manage to overcome the Londoner, it will be the first step back on the road to the top.