DAVID PRICE hopes his reinstatement into the IBF’s world top 15 will lead to a domestic clash with heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua.
Price lost his lofty ranking after defeats to Tony Thompson and Erkan Teper, both of whom failed drug tests for their fights with the Liverpudlian.
After hammering Vaclav Pejsar last month to get himself active again, the former British and Commonwealth champion is pleased the IBF put him back in at 12th.
“I feel vindicated. It’s the right thing to do. I got a lot of support when I first spoke up about it and they were obviously aware of the situation,” he told Boxing News.
“I wasn’t expecting to be banged back in at number three or whatever, but as long as I was back in so that any opportunities that were knocking about, I could throw my name in for.
“Hopefully it sets a standard for anyone who’s been on the wrong end of a fight against someone who was on drugs.
“Hopefully all the governing bodies will follow suit. That’s the satisfying thing about it, someone could go through the same thing but they won’t have to go through all the bull**** I had to suffer trying to sort it out. It’s been a good couple of weeks.”
Joshua will make the first defence of his title against American Dominic Breazeale at the O2 Arena on June 25. Price was mooted to appear on the undercard, but he revealed he will not fight on the bill and is instead looking at an outing in July.
Should he come through unscathed, Joshua is expected to box again later in the year sometime in October or November. That fight is also expected to be a voluntary defence before ‘AJ’ meets mandatory challenger Joseph Parker early next year.
“If he can get another voluntary, I would like to be considered as a challenger,” Price said.
“It’s a huge opportunity for me and I do believe that for the general public it’s a big fight, although the hardcore boxing fans would probably dismiss it. But they don’t know what I know, how I’m feeling.
“It’s amazing what one win can do for you as well when you’ve been as low as I was for 10 months. I feel better now, mentally, than when I was British champion.
“I just need to keep the ball rolling, a couple more fights but at least I’ll be in the position if I was fortunate enough to get the opportunity.”
