Tony Thompson will be looking to prove he still belongs at world title level when he takes on David Price on February 23.

'The Tiger' may be 41 but he still has ambitions in the heavyweight division, despite being stopped for a second time in three years by Wladimir Klitschko last summer.

Thompson represents a step up in class for Price, who swept through the domestic scene in 2012 and is being guided towards a title shot early next year.

But the American believes he still has the tools to cause an upset at the Liverpool Echo Arena.

"Frank Maloney has put David in the firing line," he said. "When Frank offered me the fight it was a great one to take and prove I still belong at the higher echelons of boxing.

"I lost one fight early in my career, but apart from that the only person to beat me is Wladimir and there is no shame in that.

"This is the perfect fight to see if I still belong in the top ten and deserve another title shot. It is also the perfect fight for David. He is one of the young lions trying to unseat one of the old lions and take his place in the top four or five and earn his title shot.

"Fair play to David's people for taking this challenge because there are other guys who wouldn't dare step in with me having had just 15 pro fights.

"I have a lot to gain by beating David because he is a top ten fighter. I am the guy supposedly on the way out looking to stay in contention."