The Liverpudlian heavyweight had been working his way towards a world title shot when Thompson floored and stopped him to wreck his unbeaten record in February. Price, who turned 30 on Saturday, had hoped to avenge that loss and get his career back on track at the Liverpool Echo Arena. But Thompson proved his first win was no fluke, carefully but emphatically taking Price apart before bludgeoning him into a fifth-round stoppage.

Thompson said: "It was a knockdown and a good punch but I was okay, I was listening to the count and got up when I wanted to. He started more technically this time but everybody can be technical until they get hit. I want another world title shot. If I can't get that straight away then I would love to fight Tyson Fury. I want to make England my second home."