David Price volunteers to face Wladimir Klitschko in comeback fight

By Tim Royner

Boxingnews24.com

David Price (24-6, 19 KOs) has volunteered to be the opponent for former IBF/IBO/WBA/WBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko (64-5, 53 KOs) to face when/if he accepts a big offer that he’s rumored to have been given by DAZN to sign with them. Wladimir could be making his comeback on May 25 in Kiev, Ukraine, according to Talksport.

The 42-year-old Wladiimir has been out of the ring for exactly two years since losing to IBF heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua by an 11th round knockout in April 2017. With the big money that Klitschko can make by signing with DAZN, he could potentially double his network, which is said to be $60 million, according to Celebrity net worth. Wladimir is said to be considering a $120 million offer for a 3-fight deal with DAZN. If Wladimir does sign for that kind of money, DAZN will likely want all three of his fights to be against noteworthy heavyweights like WBC champion Deontay Wilder, Joshua and Tyson Fury. Price is a good basic heavyweight, but he’s not well known in the United States, and that’s where the streaming company would needs the subscribers.

“Look, I’m world famous now, aren’t I? Because of the bite,” David Price said to Talksport.com. “You know, he’s probably looking for a bit of an easy one to come back Wladimir, so I’d definitely love the opportunity for that.”

Price, 6’8″, would have a puncher’s chance of beating Klitschko if he landed one of his big shots in the first four rounds, but that point on, it would be all downhill for Pricey. If Wladimir made Price expend energy in the first two rounds, he’d likely gas out and be fighting on fumes, and he ready to be knocked out. Price does have the power to wreck Wladimir’s comeback if he nailed him with a big shot.

“Wladimir Klitschko is still weighing a lucrative offer from DAZN,” said Mike Coppinger on his Twitter. “Wlad stays in great shape but he is 43. Must be awfully tempting to return now that the heavyweight division is exciting again.”

Klitschko was still fighting at a high level when he retired two years ago after coming close to knocking out Joshua in the sixth round. Wladimir dominated a gassed out Joshua in rounds seven, eight and nine. Klitschko made a mistake of not listening to his corner and going after Joshua when he was exhausted. He thought he could just box Joshua win a decision. Klitschko forgot about the potential of Joshua getting his second win. Wladimir also forgot where the fight was taking place at Wembley Stadium in London, England. Even if the fight went to the scorecards, Wladimir could have lost on points.

Price was involved a truly odd fight last Saturday night in beating domestic level heavyweight Kash Ali (15-1, 7 KOs) by a 5th round disqualification after being bit by him at the Echo Arena in Liverpool, England. The fight took place on the undercard of the junior middleweight contest between former World Boxing Organization 154 lb champion Liam “Beefy” Smith and Sam Eggington. Price controlled the first four rounds of the fight. In the fifth, Price was backed against the ropes by Ali, and bombarded with shots that had him looking like he was ready to be stopped Price was still dangerous, and he was able to hurt Ali with a body shot, and then a big uppercut to the head that had him out on his feet. Ali then threw Price to the canvas in a wrestling move, and then pinned him down and bit him on his midsection. The fight was stopped and Price given a fifth round disqualification win. Price later said that he was also bitten earlier in the fight by Ali.