By Edward Chaykovsky

Heavyweight contender David Price (21-3, 18KOs) is licking his lips at the idea of colliding with IBF world champion Anthony Joshua (17-0, 17KOs) on December 10 at the Manchester Arena.

As early as a week ago, it seemed that Wladimir Klitschko was all but set to face Joshua on the December date, but their negotiations hit a brick wall on Monday, when Klitschko refused to finalize the deal unless the WBA sanctioned the fight for their vacant world title.

The WBA, IBO, WBO titles became vacant two weeks ago when Tyson Fury dropped his belts to focus on getting treatment for his mental health issues.

The situation with Klitschko has forced Joshua's promoter, Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Sport, to begin immediate maneuvers to secure a backup opponent - as there is word that Klitschko might face Lucas Browne for the vacant WBA title on December 10 in Germany. One of the names being mentioned for Joshua is Kubrat Pulev and Price being the other.

Price is already expected to land an undercard slot on Joshua's December event. He's in shape and ready to go the title.

The Olympic bronze medal winner is confident of knocking Joshua out, after dropping him badly during a sparring session in 2011 when Joshua was getting ready for the Olympic games. He says Joshua was very hurt and required assistance to get out of the ring.

"I know I can knock out Joshua because I've done it before," said Price to BBC Sport. "I put him down [in sparring] and he had to get helped out of the ring."

"I've kept it to myself for years because I felt bad for doing it. And I wanted to protect the lad from people shouting him out because he got knocked out in a gym with 18oz gloves. People think Anthony Joshua is this colossus of a man with a great physique but I am convinced it can go wrong for him in a fight with me. I understand why a lot of people will write me off."