News

Round 1 with James Price

30th Aug 2012

Bloodstock.com.au - Thursday, 30 August 2012

James Price (AKA Predatory Pricer), Bloodstock Consultant and European Representative at Australia's leading Thoroughbred Auctioneer Inglis, sat down with Bloodstock.com.au to discuss his short fighting career for charity.

Known to most as a key part of the bloodstock team at Inglis, James will be putting on the gloves in October to raise money for Bowel Cancer Australia, Sydney Children’s Hospital, McGrath Foundation and Network Kokoda.

What is your all-time favourite horse?

Northerly - as a young kid growing up and learning about the industry, he was a very prominent horse at the time and I was able to see him race at Caulfield.

Favourite race day?

Scone Carnival

Melbourne Cup or Scone Cup?

Definitely Scone Cup in May - the majority of the industry are there and they are there in a relaxed state of mind just enjoying the races. Yes the racing is not as good as Melbourne Cup day, but Scone offers the opportunity to enjoy a drink with those you work with throughout the year without the need to talk business.

After the cup, everyone kicks up their heels into the night.

If it wasn’t for racing, you’d be…

I studied accounting at university so possibly an accountant… but I think if I wasn’t in racing I would either be a landscape gardener or running a 5 star hotel.

Can you tell us about this boxing night and how you got involved with it?

The Newmarket Sale Ring has been host to a few charity boxing evenings. Last year the event raised nearly $40,000. Conor Phelan from Vinery Stud suggested to the promoters that some of the fights should involve racing industry participants and that it should be an annual event.

I was asked if I wanted to participate; without having a real interest in boxing, I sort of thought that it was one of those life opportunities where I could ‘tick the box’, like a marathon or climbing Mount Everest.

I would suggest that I am in the prime of my life to fight: smart and fitness are on my side…at least for the next ten months anyway, until I turn 30!

Who else can we expect to see in this event?

There are going to be four fights with people from the horse racing industry. Of whom each participant will have a large group of supporters. Others putting on the pads are Liam Prior – Chris Waller’s Racing Manager, Mick Malone – Kitchwin Hills, Matt Lawlor – Yarraman Park, Tom Brennan – Flemington Equine Clinic, Ben Lawrence – Patinack Farm and Jonathan Crowley – Coolmore.

How long have you been preparing for this?

The first time I got hit in the head was two months ago when we had our first official session. I had known since about midyear that I was going to be fighting… I think fitness is on my side but technique is going to be the issue. I am sparring three times a week along with other fitness (Predatory Pricer was reluctant to go into too much details about his training schedule in case it got into the hand of his opponent).

What’s boxing like compared to other sports? What did you make of it before you started training and what can you tell us about it now.

I didn’t really have an appreciation for boxers or boxing before I starting training. Having done the fitness it requires to be a boxer - elite boxers are freakishly fit. They are just freaks. The amount of training that must go into becoming a professional boxer is extraordinary. I have a new found respect.

Boxing requires two minutes of 100% of your effort whether it is three rounds or 12… being hit in the head, the physical contact of taking a punch then being capable of giving one back.

I haven’t mentally prepared myself, but as it is getting closer to the fight night I do get butterflies in the stomach when I think about it.

Can you give us some boxing stats of yourself, so height, weight, reach, age, fight record…

Height: 193cm 6.3”
Fighting weight: 90kg
Age: 29
Reach: Arm’s length
Fight Record: Undefeated… 0 Wins, 0 Losses, 0 Knock outs

Who is your opponent and what do you know about him?

It isn’t 100% locked in, but it is most likely going to be Liam Prior from Chris Waller Racing Stables. Reason being we are the closest matched in terms of our height and weight.

I know him from the sales and the race track. He is a good fella, a thug in the ring though.

If it was four rounds of boxing on the night, I think I’ll be able to knock Liam out, but as it is only three rounds, it might be points decision… in my favour!

Where can we find out more about this night and how can we get tickets to this event?

It is on 6 October, which is the Saturday evening after Epsom Day at Randwick. Tickets can be purchased at Ticketbooth

Donations can be made direct to the charity.

There will be a silent auction on the night as well as items to be auctioned off in a live auction.

It hopefully will be an entertaining night of boxing, music and great company.

I encourage anyone who isn’t able to attend to still donate as it is a good cause!

Are there any boxers that we should be keeping an eye out for on the night?

I wouldn’t be under estimating Jonathan Crowley from Coolmore. I think that he has a bit of that Irish nuts/mongrel about him.

Thanks James and best of luck! We look forward to hearing about the outcome of your boxing debut.

Stay tuned to Bloodstock.com.au for a recap after the fight.