By James Slater – Red-hot heavyweight contender and new British champ David Price is already looking ahead to his next big fight, and the 13-0(11) big man wants to take another step up the ladder in terms of quality of opposition.
Fresh off his impressive 4th-round dismantling of the tough and game Sam Sexton, the 2008 Olympic bronze medallist told Talk Sport that he would like to either face a serious domestic rival next time out, or failing that have his American debut..
Price said he believes David Haye, Dereck Chisora and Tyson Fury are, along with himself, the best and highest-ranked British heavyweights currently operating, and the 6’8” powerhouse wants to move up in the rankings.
“I’d say myself, David Haye, Dereck Chisora and Tyson Fury are the top four in the country,” he said. “And Sam Sexton was just under that. So unless I fight Haye, Chisora or Fury next time out, it’s not a step forward domestically. We’ll have to have a discussion, but [if I can’t get one of them] I wouldn’t mind fighting a named American, maybe an ex-champion.”
According to The Liverpool Echo, a U.S debut, on the planned Amir Khan bill being worked on for Anaheim, is a real possibility. Promoter Frank Maloney also said that a summer fight in Price’s hometown of Liverpool is also something he is looking at.
These are exiting times; for Price himself and for fans of the heavyweight division. So far, the powerful giant with the smashing right hand has done everything right. How far can Price go? It may prove somewhat tricky matching him correctly in the coming months. Not yet ready for the Klitschkos (by his own admission), Price needs good learning fights. A fight with Haye looks to be out of the question unless “The Hayemaker” loses to Chisora is July but decides to avoid retirement (a real long shot), while a date with Chisora could happen if “Del Boy” lost a competitive fight against arch-rival Haye.
Fury, as we know, opted to vacate his belts rather than fight Price, so he’s out as well. It doesn’t look like Price will get either of the three domestic rivals he wants to fight any time soon. Maybe then, he will take that U.S debut. It will be interesting to see what U.S fans think of Price, and if he faces a recognisable name in the states, the jury will get the chance to evaluate him up close and personal.
Price talked about maybe facing an ex-champ: I wonder if the likes of James Toney, Oliver McCall or Evander Holyfield would be interested in putting him to the test?!