Trainer Dave Coldwell was not in favor of another ring return for Olympic bronze medal winner David Price (21-4, 18 KOs).
Price, 34 years old, was last seen in the ring back in February, when he was knocked out by Christian Hammer. It was his fourth knockout loss.
The hard-hitting heavyweight will return against journeyman Raphael Zumbano Love on the Callum Smith vs. Erik Skoglund undercard at the Echo Arena in Liverpool. Smith vs. Skoglund is part of the World Boxing Super Series. Price and Skoglund are both promoted by Sauerland Event.
Price was being trained by Dave Coldwell, but he is now being handled by George Vaughan, Derry Mathews and Joe McNally.
He suffered back to back knockout defeats to Tony Thompson in 2013. He was able to get himself back on track with four wins in a row. But then he was brutally knocked out by Erkan Teper in 2015. The loss, although never overturned, was overlooked because Teper tested positive for steroids in the aftermath.
Following the Teper defeat, Price hooked up with Coldwell and picked up two knockout victories. Then came another knockout loss, to Hammer, in a battle for the WBO European title.
After the loss to Hammer, Coldwell had advised Price to retire - and Price was in agreement that retirement was the right move. But something has obviously changed his mind and he wants to give it another go.
"I've been in touch with David a few times over text or calls, just on a personal basis away from boxing, but in our last conversation about boxing he was going to call it a day. He knows what I think as I've told him to do the same. For me, David doesn't need to box, he doesn't need to prove anything and has achieved a hell of a lot more than many people in his career. As far as I was concerned, him walking away from the sport and enjoying his family was the right decision," Coldwell told Sky Sports.
"Fighters are always going to think 'I can give it one more try, I can do better.' But we've been here before with David. It's not been Pricey's ability that has let him down, it's been how he reacts under pressure when things don't go right. He's had good trainers around him such as Franny Smith, Adam Booth, Tommy Brooks. I believe he's also had a mind coach as well, but it keeps happening. Once the doubts creep in, it's very, very hard to get rid of them. He's got to manage his nerves and his doubts. The bottom line is, if he can do that, then he's a weapon in the heavyweight division.
"I hope he can solve his problem and achieve what he wants in the sport. He's genuinely one of the nicest people you will meet and was a pleasure to work with. David's got a great team around him now in Georgie and Danny Vaughan, Derry Mathews and Joe McInally, who has got a great boxing brain. I really hope he succeeds and there are fights out there which are going to be interesting for him."
