By James Slater: Fresh off last night’s eye-catching blast-out win over the usually durable John McDermott, unbeaten 28-year-old heavyweight contender David Price is both red-hot and on the lips of many fight fans. It’s still early days for the 2008 Olympic bronze medallist who is 12-0(10) as a pro, but as good and as exciting as he’s looked thus far, it’s tough to not look ahead and wonder how far the 6’8” talent can go.
Next up (we hope) will be a shot at reigning British heavyweight champ Tyson Fury (who Price earned a crack at with last night’s final eliminator win) – and that fight (a return of the amateur fight that was won by Price) would be a big fight as well as a logical next step for the Liverpool man. But I have a feeling Fury – who has already stated earlier this year that he wants a world title shot this year – might opt to vacate as he seeks an international opponent.
If this is the case, Price will likely face the next available contender in a fight to decide the vacated British crown. Or maybe Price will go another route. Here’s a list of guys I’d love to see Price step in with next:
Kubrat Pulev-Alexander Dimitrenko winner. These two are close to fighting for the vacant European title (vacated by the injured Robert Helenuis). Would it be too much too soon for Price to choose to shoot for the Euro crown and face the winner?
Dereck Chisora. Should “Del Boy” do as most experts feel he will, and lose his Feb. 18th shot at WBC heavyweight king Vitali Klitschko, he would be a great rival for Price a few months later (how later would depend on how much punishment he takes in the clash with “Dr. Iron Fist.”) If Chisora were to shock the world and win next month, well, Price would have to join a long list of fighters wanting a fight with him.
Audley Harrison. Groan if you want, but if “A-Force” can win his comeback fight against Ali Adams in April, he would prove an attractive opponent for Price. Still a love-to-hate figure, Harrison can shift tickets. Price against Audley in Liverpool would create some atmosphere and if Price were to do a number on his fellow giant, he would have ended the 2000 Olympian’s career. An interesting Olympian Vs. Olympian match-up.
Tye Fields. Price would be going up against a man even bigger than himself if he were to tangle with “Big Sky.” And Fields did manage a win over another Brit in Michael Sprott not too long ago. Price could do far worse than to have a highlight reel KO over Fields on his record.
Kevin Johnson. Once-beaten Johnson may be a better talker than he is fighter, but he has said a number of times that he would like a fight in the U.K. “Kingpin” had David Haye in his sights – would he now agree to travel to face the U.K’s next big thing at heavyweight? Price would make some statement if he were to knock Johnson flat.
Samuel Peter. If “The Nigerian Nightmare” fights again, and if he is willing to travel to the U.K, he would provide Price with a genuine test as far as his punching power goes. How well can Price take a solid hit to the chin? We would maybe find out if this fight took place.