By Phil D. Jay
Heavyweight hope David Price is pleading with boxing fans to give him more time to prepare for a world heavyweight title clash with Wladimir Klitschko after witnessing his four-round demolision job on Jean-Marc Mormeck in Germany on Saturday night.
The 28 year-old, who claimed Olympic bronze in 2008, is constantly touted as one of only a handful of heavyweights currently out there that can give either of the Klitschko brothers a stern challenge.
The likeable Englishman is insisting he must bide his time in order to reach his peak before a world title tilt against one of the Ukrainians and believes that the brothers are not to blame for the current state of the top division.
“There isn’t much of a challenge out there at the moment,” Price told Sky Sports’ Adam Smith.
“It’s not their fault. They can only beat what’s in front of them.
“I am not ready yet. Give me eighteen months to two years. I have got to be realistic for myself, not to entertain people that like to watch the Klitschko’s.
“I know I present a much more difficult challenge for Wladimir than Mormeck did even now but that’s for another day and I’ve got plenty of time on my side.”
6ft 8ins Price will not have the height and reach disadvantages that most of the recent challengers to the champions have had and the Liverpudlian is confident that there are some fighters out there that can step up whilst he prepares himself for a date with destiny against Wladimir in 2014.
“Something does need to come through,” Price explained.
“You have got (WBA champion) Povetkin, even Dereck Chisora could have given Wladimir a much tougher night (than Mormeck) and I think Seth Mitchell in the States is a good fighter but maybe he needs a bit more experience.
“Your picking your brains trying to find someone but someone will come through, it’s just a matter of when and that’s where I will come in. Eighteen months to two years, give me a bit more time and I’ll be ready,” he added.
Phil D. Jay covers boxing for worldboxingnews.net
