TONY THOMPSON believes he is just days away from ruining all hopes of David Price and Tyson Fury meeting.
The American double world title challenger (36-3) meets British and Commonwealth champion Price (15-0) in a 12 round international heavyweight contest at Liverpool’s Echo Arena on Saturday February 23.
Price v Fury is the biggest domestic clash right now, and purses bids were due to be held on Wednesday, but Tyson pulled out.
Southpaw Thompson said: “Fury didn’t want to know when I said I was up for coming to England and boxing him, and at least David took the job.
“All I keep reading is that David fighting Fury is the hottest ticket in UK boxing. It’ll be a cold ticket once I beat David.
“Of course, I appreciate how big a fight it is over there but it won’t have the same financial value or appeal when David has a defeat next to his name.
“David’s promoter Frank Maloney knows his stuff but he has made a major mistake in bringing me over because I lost my last fight .
“It was against Wladimir Klitschko and there is no shame in that, and I still have ambition.
“Beating David will make sure I stay in the world title picture.”
Thompson arrives in Britain this weekend, and although nobody should doubt his seriousness, the Washington DC man hasn’t been watching too many of Price’s devastating knockouts.
He explained: “I have looked at some tapes, but you can only look as so many because tapes lie.
“It is hard to judge a guy’s rhythm, speed and athleticism watching tapes.
“You have to look at them though to spot to odd mistake a fighter might tend to make. That is what I look for more than style.”
On the same bill David’s friend Kevin Satchell (9-0) risks his British flyweight crown against Belfast’s Luke Wilton (13-2-1).
Another British title defence on the bill sees Darren Hamilton (12-2) put his light-welterweight crown on the line against another Liverpool fighter, Steve Williams (13-1).
Adil Anwar (18-1) who hopes to challenge the winner also boxes and Maloney says he will be involved in the fourth 12 rounder on the bill.
Others boxers on the bill include David Burke (26-2), Paul Edwards (9-2), Sean Dodd (4-0), Louis Cuddy (6-0), Neil Perkins (2-0), Steven Lewis (2-0), Andy Colquhoun (5-0) and Peter Gallagher (1-0).
Tickets can be purchased £230 (VIP including meal and inner ringside seat), £95 (Ringside), £70 and £40 at www.echoarena.comwww.frankmaloney.com or 0844 8000 400.
The show will be broadcast live by the home of boxing BoxNation (Sky 437/Virgin 546). Join now at www.boxnation.com. WealthTV will be broadcasting the card live in the United States.