Hopey Price promises to 'steal the show' in Leeds derby battle with Zahid Hussain

Former Youth Olympics gold medalist boxer Hopey Price has vowed to “steal the show” - and grab local bragging rights - in his Leeds derby against Zahid Hussain at Wembley next weekend.
Leeds' Hopey Price. Picture c/o Matchroom Boxing.Leeds' Hopey Price. Picture c/o Matchroom Boxing.
Leeds' Hopey Price. Picture c/o Matchroom Boxing.

Hussain - a former Central Area featherweight champion, with just one defeat in 16 contests - will present a tough challenge for Price, who has won all his three professional fights.

But the 20-year-old southpaw, known as ‘Drago’, reckons he is in a different class and pledged: “Most people would look at someone who’s 3-0 fighting a 16-1 fighter as a big step-up, but for me I take it in my stride.

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“I will prove how good I am and I’m looking to steal the show.”

Hussain, 29, has boxed 104 professional rounds to his rival’s 13, however Price is already building a reputation as a hot prospect and insisted: “I want to prove I’m the next big thing to come from Leeds.”

He said: “There’s levels to boxing and I will show in this fight that I’m levels above Zahid Hussain.

“If I keep putting on these good performances then I’ll continue to be on the good shows.

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“I don’t feel I’m far off title level, but I’m still only young.

“I think the fans are going to watch me and think, ‘wow, who is this kid’?

“I want people to say, ‘this kid is special’.”

Leeds’ Josh Warrington is the main attraction at Wembley Arena on Saturday, February 13, when he takes on Mexican Mauricio Lara, but Price, who boxed his way to a classy six-rounds points win over Johnny Phillips in his previous bout, last summer, reckons he is also heading for star billing.

“I’m not in this game to just become a British Champion, I want to be one of the all time greats,” he said.

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“If I am going to get there then I need to take these types of fights and show how good I am. I believe I should be beating guys at this level in style.

“On February 13 you’re going to see a big improvement from me. Fight Camp was an amazing experience and against Johnny Phillips I stepped out of the journeyman bracket and fought someone who was coming to win, which only means you’ll see a better Hopey Price.”

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