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Franny Smith predicts victories for Price and Fury next week


Frank Stea
Senior Reporter

Liverpool’s Franny Smith has been the trainer of current British and Commonwealth heavyweight champion David Price ever since Price was seventeen years old as an amateur.

Since their union, the 29 year old Price won a Bronze medal at the 2008 Olympic Games and is currently on the fast track to global stardom as an undefeated professional.

Smith is currently preparing Price 14-0 (12KOs) for his November 30th title defense against former world title challenger Matt Skelton 28-6 (23KOs) in Price’s hometown of Merseyside, Liverpool at the famed Aintree Equestrian Centre.

World Boxing News had to pleasure to speak with Franny Smith as he weighed in on the Skelton fight.

“Training is going well. David is already in great shape. With it being so soon since the last fight, we went straight back into the gym. We have sparring partners to replicate Matt Skelton’s style and David has been dealing the sparring partners well. We’ve had good preparation for this fight, so he will be in fantastic shape come the 30th of November.” Smith told World Boxing News.

“Matt Skelton is a completely different fight from what Audley Harrison was. Skelton is a rugged type of fighter who likes to get close and rough the fight up. We plan to use some long range stuff against him and keep our distance.

“We’re going to be positive in the fight. We’re not going to be negative and run away. We are going to go across the ring and meet Matt Skelton head on.

“David has the range and the height and we need to use that. It’s just a matter of being sensible.

“I’m sure once David finds the range and lands his power punches, it could possibly be an early night, but we have prepared for a twelve round fight like we always do and are prepared for whatever comes.

“It will be a victory within six rounds for David Price against Matt Skelton. Whether it is by a stoppage or a knockout, it will definitely be a victory within six rounds for David Price."

Just twenty four hours later on December 1st, Price’s arch nemesis Tyson Fury returns to action against another former world title challenger in Kevin Johnson. The fight takes place in Belfast, Ireland at the Odyssey Arena.

With Price and Fury being linked at the moment in one of boxing’s hottest rivalries, Smith shared his prediction for the Fury fight.

“It depends on what type of condition Kevin Johnson is in obviously as he’s been around," said Smith.

 "He’s fought at the higher level, although he was a disappointment in the Prizefighter when he came over. 

“I think Fury wins between rounds eight and twelve. I hope so anyway.”

Follow Franny Smith on Twitter @fsmith2612

Frank Stea is co-presenter of ATG Radio as well as a head reporter at WBN.  Follow him on Twitter @FrankStea and @ATGRadio.
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