Kash Ali faces a lengthy ban from boxing after being disqualified for biting David Price during their all-British heavyweight contest in Liverpool.

The incident happened in round five when Price, 35, landed a fierce blow on the 27-year-old previously undefeated Birmingham fighter. Ali reacted by forcing his former sparring partner to the canvas where he was seen to bite the Liverpudlian, leaving a clearly visible mark on his torso.

The referee, Mark Lyson, who had earlier docked Ali a point for hitting the back of Price’s head, immediately disqualified him and awarded the victory to Price, who had been ahead on the scorecards. Ali left the M&S Bank Arena under a barrage of drinks thrown by spectators.

A bite mark visible on David Price’s torso. Photograph: Lee Smith/Action Images

Before the fight Ali had vowed to “spark out” Price in front of his home crowd, adding: “This is my time to show all the boxing people that I’m not here to mess about. Beating someone like David will put me straight in the mix. It’s a great opportunity to show my skills, and show that I’m a real contender.

“I’m younger, I’m fresher. I’m made for this. This is my first chance on the big stage and I’m going to make it count … There could be 10 of him in the ring and I’d go through every single one. He’s always been a quitter. He’s quit before and he’ll quit again. I’m ending his career.”

After being awarded the win, Price, who claimed he had been bitten more than once, said Ali had asked for a rematch – a request he had refused. “I don’t want to share the ring again with an animal like that,” he said. “He did a couple early on and I thought he had lost his head completely. I hurt him to the body just before the final bite he took.”

Kash Ali is pulled away by referee Mark Lyson. Photograph: Lee Smith/Action Images

The former world cruiserweight champion Tony Bellew told Sky Sports that Ali was “a disgrace … he shouldn’t be allowed back in a boxing ring ever again.

“He should not be paid for the fight – give the money to grassroots boxing and help develop amateur boxing. Biting a man when he’s on the floor… there aren’t many things lower.”