Not so long ago, it was between David Price and Tyson Fury as to who the next big British heavyweight was going to be, with the two men looking to be on an eventual collision course to decide. Anthony Joshua had barely turned professional.
And then along came wily old veteran Tony Thompson and the wheels came off for David Price. After those two career-derailing knockouts that left Price on the heavyweight scrap heap, Tyson Fury went his own way and is now set to challenge Wladimir Klitschko for the WBO title later this year.
Price has been left rebuilding out in Germany and was due a Liverpool homecoming later this month before pulling out injured.
In the meantime we have witnessed the meteoric rise of big punching prospect Anthony Joshua, who 13 fights in, is being tipped by many trade insiders as ‘The next Lennox Lewis’ and finds himself tipped for the kind of greatness many once tipped Beijing bronze medalist Price for.
And it surely must be very humbling for Price himself, who now finds himself in the position of putting his name out there for a Joshua fight in order to try and kick start his own ailing career.
The 31 year old, who believes he has four more ‘good years’ as a professional has spoken to Sky Sports about any potential Joshua fight, insisting he is ready to take on the Olympic gold medalist any time.
“If you look at this logically, it suits me better to fight Joshua now. He’s only had 13 fights and hasn’t gone past 3 rounds, so I’ve the experience in my favour.”
“But I’d be willing to fight him anytime. It would be better if there was a belt on the line because it would make it more meaningful and a carrot dangling for the winner.”
“It’s a fight I want to sit down and talk over but it has to be a 50/50 fight – I’m not being brought in as a Kevin Johnson type of fighter.”
“I have got my own ambitions and that’s what I’m working on right now but hopefully it will happen. Sooner preferably – but later if not.”
Twitter @Undilutedpoison
