Jim faces another “‘orrible southpaw”

Poster for the Beech-Price title fight

JAMES Beech – the Black Country battler with a heart as big as a bucket – is preparing for another stiff test on the road. As long-time trainer Pete Hickenbottom put it succinctly: “It’s another horrible southpaw”.

The “horrible southpaw” referred to is Leeds feather Hopey Price, unbeaten in 10 and being groomed for big things.

He and Bloxwich’s Beech clash for the WBA continental title at Sheffield’s Utilita Arena in a 10 rounder streamed on DAZN.

The bout comes three months after James was stopped in seven by another horrible southpaw, Nathaniel Collins, for the British title.

He’s also come unstuck against portsiders Dennis McCann and Chris Bourke.

Beech, aged 26 and with 19 bouts under his belt, could be forgiven for having nightmares about left-handed fighters.

And the Price contest is a tough one. Price has stopped three opponents, already picked up the IBO international super-bantam title and, last time out, beat France’s former European flyweight king Thomas Masson. Admittedly, Masson was well past his best and above his best fighting weight.

But Beech has the pedigree to mix in top class, having twice fought for British titles. He showed the threat he poses last December when snapping the long unbeaten run of Birmingham’s skilled and dangerous Raza Hamza.

Trainer Hickenbottom said today: “It’s a big fight for Jim, another horrible southpaw, and he’s well up for it.

“You’ve got to take your hat off to him – he’s not bothered about who he fights, he’s got some heart, I’ll tell you.

“Price was a great amateur, he won everything. We’ve got a 6ft 1ins southpaw in the gym (Ryan Woolridge) and we’ll be using him for the preparation. For 10 rounds sparring with Jim, Ryan’s your lad.

“I’ve said to Jim he’s got to go out and hit Price everywhere. The first chance you get, hit him everywhere.

“I think the loss to Chris Bourke (on points in 2021) put a bit of a phobia about southpaws in Jim, yet he faced plenty of them in the amateurs and did well.

“Price has only done 10 rounds once and he’s not a massive puncher. He’s not got a style that’s easy to watch, he’s always on the back foot.”

Pete added: “Win or lose, Jim always gives a good account of himself.”

Price has posted a simple message on facebook: “I’m going to win this fight in devastating fashion – mark my words!”