Kash Ali set to face heavy sanction for biting David Price during fight

Heavyweight Kash Ali could face a lengthy ban after being thrown out for biting opponent David Price in the fifth round of their non-title fight at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool.

The British Boxing Board of Control are set to investigate the incident after both fighters fell to the floor, with Price emerging with a clear bite mark on his chest.

Referee Mark Lyson immediately stopped the contest and disqualified Ali, who had earlier been docked a point for punching to the back of the head, and whom Price also accused of biting his arm earlier in the contest.

On the same card former WBO light-middleweight champion Liam Smith outclassed his former sparring partner Sam Eggington, whose corner threw in the towel in the fifth round of a one-sided contest.

Meanwhile Rio Olympian Antony Fowler lost his unbeaten professional record to former Great Britain team-mate Scott Fitzgerald, who triumphed via split decision after 10 tumultuous rounds.

Fowler, a heavy favourite, started on top before Fitzgerald took over in the middle part of the contest to build a slender points lead.

Fowler had a strong ninth round, rattling Fitzgerald with a big uppercut, but the Preston man reacted superbly in the last as he dropped Fowler to scrape home 95-94 (twice), with the third judge scoring 96-94 for Fowler.

Price admitted his win over Ali was far from satisfactory but will now look to press on and rebuild his career after a series of recent setbacks.

Speaking in the ring, the fight broadcast on Sky Sports, Price was asked about a rematch, but he said: “I don’t want to share a ring with an animal like that again.”

Former world cruiserweight champion Tony Bellew branded Ali “a disgrace” and called for him to be banned.