I’m delighted Liverpool are returning to Wembley, says David Price

The English heavyweight champion and lifelong Liverpool fan David Price has revealed his delight that Liverpool have reached the Carling Cup final at Wembley Stadium.

Price, a former season ticket holder for Liverpool, was at Anfield for their 3-2 aggregate victory over Premier League leaders Manchester City on Wednesday evening. The result caps a great week for the Olympic bronze medallist who also knocked out John McDermott to become the mandatory challenger for the British heavyweight title.

“I went to the match. It [the atmosphere] was brilliant, it was a big semi-final night,” said Price. “I don’t get to go [to watch Liverpool play] as much as I used to because the job’s more important now.

“It means a lot for everyone for Liverpool to reach Wembley. It’s the first time we’ll have been since 1996, so it means a lot for the club.

“[Kenny] Dalglish is the right man for the job – give him time. It’s only fair they give him time to settle the squad and the players have agreed with that.

“You only have to listen to what Steven Gerrard is saying – he’s the voice of Liverpool. He’s flabbergasted that people have called for Dalglish to go…give him time.

“[Fighting at Wembley] is a long way off but, yeah, I’d love to fight at Wembley, I’d love to fight at any stadium, but Anfield would be my number one choice. It would have to be a huge fight but that would be brilliant if that could happen.”

Price also said that the ease with which he beat McDermott means he hasn’t needed to rest since and, though he wants to fight the current British and Commonwealth champion Tyson Fury, believes he doesn’t need to face him to reach the top of the heavyweight division.

“I’ve been bored [since the McDermott fight],” said Price. “All of the training that I’ve done for this fight over the last six months, the fight lasted 70 seconds… so I’ve still got a bit left in the tank.

“It could happen, but if it doesn’t then so be it. I don’t need Tyson Fury to progress my career. With or without Tyson Fury I believe I’m going to get to the top anyway, so if it happens, it happens, but it’s a fight I would like to happen.

“Yeah, of course [I’m confident]. I’m confident I could get in the ring with any opponent but, if I was to fight Tyson Fury, I’d be 100 per cent certain I could do it.”

Price also admitted that, though promoter Frank Maloney believes the heavyweight’s career earnings can surpass those of Lennox Lewis – who Maloney once managed – he’s just keeping his head down to maintain the progress he’s making.

“At this stage of my career, if I just earn a fraction of what Lennox Lewis earned then I’ll be happy,” he added. “At the moment I’m at the bottom of the tree and concentrating on progressing. It’ll take some doing, but time will tell.”

While Price and Maloney still plan on facing Fury, Price is expected to fight again in March on a Frank Maloney Promotions bill.

Follow Declan Warrington on Twitter@decwarrington

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