NOT GIVING UP
Price decides against retirement, and teams up with Mathews, writes Chris Walker
David Price reveals why he has decided not to retire, and who his new coach is
WHEN an exhausted David Price left the London Olympia ring in February following a shattering loss to Christian Hammer, eulogies, both beautiful and sinister, were either eloquently or viciously read aloud for the Liverpool heavyweight who was once seen as the future of the division. This defeat contained a different aroma as previous losses were shrouded in controversy and disdain due to the drug use allegations surrounding previous Price conquerors, Tony Thompson and Erkan Teper. But against Hammer, Price was simply beaten up and had nothing left to offer when the stoppage occurred in round seven.
With retirement settled on, Price did not go public with the decision but the direction he was heading was changed when speaking with Joe Mcnally, a former star amateur now establishing himself as a trainer at Derry Mathews’ gym, when the pair exchanged pleasantries during a much-required summer holiday.
“My mind was made up,” insists Price. “Technically, I was at my best for Hammer as I’d been working with Dave Coldwell and although I had a few health issues in the build up, I still feel I had enough in me to go in there and do a job on him. I gave my all in that fight until I had nothing left and it answered a few questions about my position in the sport because I did really think I had what it took at that time to be one of the best in the division. It was something of a reality check for me.
“I’d told those close to me that I wanted to walk away but I was on Stephen Smith’s stag do a few months later and me and Joe started having a chat about my career and everything he was saying just made sense to me. I went and spoke with Derry and we were looking at the little changes I could make and that was when I decided to give it another go and just start from the beginning. There’s no talk about fighting for world titles or going for the big names, it’s about starting from the beginning again and fighting for domestic titles and seeing where that gets me.”
Since joining the oft-expanding stable at Mathews’ Liverpool City Centre base, Price has been impressed with what the recently retired fighter has to offer. A common connection is present when observing the number of setbacks the pair have endured from a professional perspective. Now Price hopes he can go on and replicate the success Mathews had when returning from a lengthy lay off at the start of the decade.
“He’s been great for me from day one and I think he’s building something very special for Liverpool boxing. I’m just at that point now where I have to do what is right for me and I love being in this city training as it’s so convenient. I loved the stuff I done with Coldwell and it was good to have a world-class trainer helping me, but where that travelling to and from Sheffield is what motivates [ Tony] Bellew, I’m little bit different to him and I do need to be close to home as that’s what works for me and I think it makes me perform better. It’s early days with Derry so far but I’m happy with what I’ve seen so far.”
Next up for Price is an outing on a MTK Promotions show in London on December 2 as he starts the latest phase of his career with no current goal locked into his focus. The heavyweight scene at home is currently chaotic around British title level but after Sam Sexton’s recent victory over Gary Cornish to collect the Lonsdale strap, the Norwich veteran will be in demand with fighters such as Price, 2016 Olympic silver medallist Joe Joyce, and emerging talent Daniel Dubois all vying for his recently acquired honour. Price is well aware he has to be patient to obtain such shots but he is ready for any opportunity that comes his way.
“It’s going to be interesting at heavyweight over the next couple of years and I really want to be a big part of it because I honestly don’t think I’ve given it my all yet. I know I’m a fighter that one day these young prospects might want my name on their record because of what I’ve done in the past but I can hurt people and I’ve shown that plenty of times before. I’m always in good fights and you get drama from me whenever I fight so I know that there’ll be opportunities coming my way. This isn’t a time to make predictions or tell people what I’m going to do and what I’m going to win, it’s just time to get in the ring and get back to winning ways and see where it takes me.”
‘IT’S ABOUT STARTING FROM THE BEGINNING AGAIN AND SEEING WHERE THAT GETS ME’