Tyson ‘a new man’ on return

DAVID Price believes former rival Tyson Fury will change the public’s perception of him and will capture the hearts of the nation when he makes his return to the ring.

After a long legal battle with UKAD over an alleged failed drugs test, Fury is finally set to have a hearing later this month which will determine when he can make his comeback.

The Manchester heavyweight has regularly caused controversy over the years, but Price is backing Fury to turn over a new leaf.

“Me and Tyson Fury used to have a bitter rivalry but we have a lot of respect for each other as men,” he said. “I’m not up to his standard as a fighter but as men we’re very similar. I think the new Tyson Fury is going to be loved by the majority of people.”

Price made a return of his own last night, defeating Kamil Sokolowski on points after six rounds at the Brentwood Centre in Essex.

He has made it clear he would love the chance to face Fury, even though they are a lot friendlier than they were in the past.

“I know Tyson would love to give me the opportunity, but he’s got other things I think he’s planning from when I spoke to him the other day, so we’ll just do our own thing,” he said.

“It’s not my style to call fighters out, but I know there’s fighters in a similar position to me, who will obviously fancy the job against me.

“I just want to get another 10 rounds under my belt and then we can go again and chase a title or whatever presents itself.

“I could do with 10-rounder in February.

“I need ring time. Before my last fight I had four rounds in two years – it was nowhere near enough.

“That was six good rounds in the bank on Saturday.”

Meanwhile, Liam Smith appears to have his next world title shot lined up after Sadam Ali picked up a shock victory against Miguel Cotto to win the WBO light-middleweight title.

Ali won the fight by unanimous decision at Madison Square Garden, with Bolton-trained Smith now his mandatory challenger following his victory over Liam Williams last month. another