Beech gambles with another tough test

Beech…travels to Sheffield to face unbeaten Hopey Price

BRAVE Black Country battler James Beech returns with another tough assignment following his March British featherweight title defeat.

James faces Hopey Price, unbeaten in 10, over 10 rounds at Sheffield Arena on July 1.

That’ll be the fourth unbeaten prospect 25-year-old James has faced in as many fights.

He was stopped by Dennis McCann, scored a sensational – against all odd – victory over Raza Hamza, then came the seventh round stoppage to Nathaniel Collins, in Glasgow, with the Lonsdale belt and Commonwealth title on the line.

Price, from Leeds, is another opponent riding on the crest of a wave. Back in 2021, Hopey stopped Zahid Hussein for the IBO international super-bantam crown and was last in action in March, outpointing Thomas Masson over 10.

That points win gives an indication of Price’s ability. Masson, from France, has held the European flyweight title and in 2017 travelled to Tokyo to face Daigo Higa for the world title. He was stopped in seven.

At the age of 32, he had admittedly seen better days when pitted against Price.

Beech, from Bloxwich, is a seasoned performer with 19 bouts under his belt. He fought gallantly for the British super-bantam title, losing on points to Brad Foster, and has held Midlands titles at two weights.

Trained by Pete Hickenbottom, he’s blessed with textbook skills, but lacks true knockout power. Fragile brows have also proved a problem in the past.

The man also possesses old fashioned “bottle” above and beyond the call of duty.

He needs a win to stay within the leading pack of featherweight contenders.

On facebook, James posted: “Another massive fight for me at the Sheffield Arena, July 1st vs Hopey Price live on DAZN Boxing.

“For those that fancy it, drop me a message or on the Matchroom Boxing website. Big opportunity for me to put myself right back up there.”