McDERMOTT PROMISES FIGHT OF HIS LIFE

If he was a battleship he'd already be sunk. Bookies, pundits and fans alike are not giving John McDermott much chance against Scouse giant David Price in their British heavyweight title eliminator at the Liverpool Olympia on November 19.

For the 33 fight veteran though, who's been a pro for 11 years, it's all 'water off a duck's back'. The 'second-best' tag is one that 'Big Bad' John is all too familiar with, and the 31 year old refuses to be fazed ahead of the forthcoming make-or-break encounter.

"It doesn't bother me," laughed John, 26-7 (17). "I've been the underdog so many times; no-one ever gives me a chance to win - my cousin once got a 52-1 bet from William Hill for me to beat Tyson Fury! So, no, it doesn't make any odds to me, I just go in the ring and do my best."

The pair were supposed to clash at the same venue back in June before a dose of glandular fever saw John pulling out. At short notice, Chatham's Tom Dallas stepped into the breach and saved the show only, for his troubles, to be spectacularly knocked out in two rounds. McDermott watched the demolition from his sickbed.

"I'm not being rude to Tom Dallas but I think David Price is a slightly better fighter. Tom took it at two days' notice and you can't really get ready in that time. Obviously he [Price] boxed well; we all know he's got massive punching power. I do a lot of sparring with Tom; he's a tough kid, so yeah I was impressed."

Frank Maloney has labelled McDermott 'the unluckiest heavyweight in the country'. His 'nearly man' reputation comes after controversial losses in a British title fight to Danny Williams (18 July 2008) and an English title shot against Tyson Fury (11 September 2009). In facing big-punching Price, 11-0 (9), McDermott knows he's up against a good opponent – one that he respects – but he doesn't believe the Liverpudlian will prove as aggressive as his arch-rival, the aforementioned Fury.

"I've sparred with him [Price], probably about 20 rounds since he turned pro. You don't win Commonwealth Gold and Olympic Bronze medals if you can't fight. He's a good fighter, he makes the best of his ability, and he's very tall.

"I've boxed Tyson Fury but I've never boxed Price," answered John about who's the better fighter. "I think Fury comes to fight a bit more and is a tougher guy, but I think he's easier to fight than David Price because David is a stand back and wait boxer, while Tyson Fury fights with his heart - like I do."

John has been around the boxing game long enough to know that, this time, he really cannot afford to be second best at the end of his fight with Price. The amiable big man has seen heavyweights come and go in his time as a pro and knows that if he is to finally fulfil the achievements his talents deserve then he has to lose the 'unlucky' tag against David Price.

McDermott is never more dangerous, however, than when he's drinking in the 'last chance saloon'. In his last 'crossroads' fight, the Essex boxer demolished big-hitting Larry Olubamiwo in just one round to take the Southern Area title (19 February 2011), and he is convinced he'll claim victory over Price.

"There's nowhere to go [if he loses]. I don't want to be hanging around fighting for Southern Area Titles. If I lose this then there's no point, I'm not saying I'm going to make any rash decisions but it's more than likely [he'll retire].

"I feel great though. I've trained really hard. I've been away sparring with Tyson Fury and [Richard] Towers and that's gone really well. I know it's going to be a hard fight but I've trained for it, I've left no stone unturned. I'm going to go in there and give it everything I've got."

Don't bet against him causing an upset. You might even get 52-1 for it!

For ticket information to see McDermott vs. Price, and an undercard that includes John Donnelly vs. Martin Power for the English super-flyweight title – click here or call 0871 226 1508.

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