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| Leeds Super-Bantamweight star Hopey Price has signed a new multi-fight promotional deal with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing ahead of his clash with Thomas Masson for the vacant WBA Continental Title at the Utilita Arena Newcastle on Saturday March 18, shown live worldwide on DAZN. The slick 22-year-old southpaw (9-0, 3 KOs), who is trained and managed by Dave Coldwell in Rotherham, landed gold at the 2018 European Youth Championships and 2018 Youth Olympics; becoming the first boxer from Great Britain to win gold at a Youth Olympic Games, before pursuing his dreams in the paid code. He made his highly anticipated professional debut on the undercard of Mancunian legend Anthony Crolla’s farewell fight at Manchester Arena in November 2019, outpointing Nicaragua’s Joel Sanchez over four rounds. Price then landed a spot on the undercard of the blockbuster Andy Ruiz vs. Anthony Joshua 2 World Title show in Saudi Arabia where he scored an impressive third round TKO over Tanzania’s Swede Mohamed. Price’s one and only win in 2020 came against the game Johnny Phillips at Matchroom’s first Fight Camp helping in Essex in August. He kicked off 2021 with a points win over Daniel Mendoza at Wembley Arena before returning to the Matchroom HQ in August to decision Claudio Grande over six rounds. Price finished 2021 with a second-round stoppage victory over Zahid Hussain to pick up the IBO International Title on the undercard of Mauricio Lara vs. Josh Warrington 2 and started 2022 in similar form by stopping Ricardo Roman in four rounds at Alexandra Palace. A further two points wins against Alexander Mejia and Jonathan Santana followed in 2022 and the Yorkshireman is now aiming to prove why he is regarded as one of the most promising Super-Bantamweight talents in world boxing. “I’m delighted to have signed a new multi-fight promotional deal with Matchroom,” said Price. “I believe that they are the best in the business and I think with them behind me pushing me in 2023 I can announce myself as one of the world’s best prospects and put myself in position to be headlining back at the arena in Leeds. First up I’ve got to deal with Thomas Masson in Newcastle on March 18 and I believe that will be the first title of many in 2023. I can’t wait to kick off the year in style with a big win and another belt added to my collection.” “I’m thrilled that Hopey Price has extended his promotional deal with Matchroom,” said Matchroom Sport Chairman Eddie Hearn. “Hopey is a special young talent and it was really important for us to extend his promotional deal as we head into an exciting stage of his career. We truly believe that Hopey is one of the very best prospects in world boxing and I think more and more people will start to recognise that over the coming months as he steps up the opponents and goes for more titles. “We’ve been working with Hopey since his professional debut in Manchester back in 2019 and I think people forget that he’s only 22. He’s already nine fights into his promising professional career and he’s boxed on some huge cards around the world racking up invaluable experience. He’s in the perfect place with Matchroom and Dave Coldwell guiding him and there’s so much more to come. Hopey has a huge following in Leeds and the ultimate goal is to see him bring World Title fights back to the arena.” “This next phase of Hopey’s career is very important,” said Dave Coldwell. “It was vital to make sure that I felt Hopey goes into this next stage with the guidance and the backing of a promoter that truly believes in him. Speaking to Eddie and Frank, I’m over the moon with what they think of Hopey and what their plans are for him. He’s one of the best young prospects in world boxing but he’s just a secret right know. “I feel that with the plans Matchroom have got over the next 12 months people are going to see what he’s about. The talent is going to speak for itself and the job will get done in the gym. His work ethic and his attitude will come out in the fights. In a years’ time we’re going to see what a special fighter he is. It’s a great partnership with Matchroom and I’m looking forward to seeing where it goes.” You can follow Price’s journey on Instagram: hopeyprice and Twitter: @Hopeyprice1 Tickets Matchroom’s first NXTGEN show of the year are priced £40, £60, £100 and £150 (VIP). General Sale tickets can be purchased via Stage Front and the Utilita Arena Newcastle NOW. |
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