Wladimir Klitschko: Maybe a David Price Fight Will Happen

WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO has opened the door to a world title shot for David Price.

Klitschko holds four versions of the world heavyweight title but fancies a defence against the Liverpool bruiser.

Price, 28, who defeated Sam Sexton to win the vacant British and Commonwealth titles on Saturday, wants a world title shot within 18 months.

Klitschko is a great admirer of the 6ft 8in Olympic bronze medallist and reckons he reminds him of himself.

The 36-year-old said: “Maybe David Price and I are going to end up ­fighting. I will not exclude David from my list of possible opponents. We will see how he develops himself.

“I think David Price is doing an ­incredible job. I see myself in him in a certain way.

“He is a couple of inches taller than I am, but his technique is pretty much the same as mine, so there are certain similarities between us and my ­trainer Emanuel Steward always points them out.

“When we have watched his fights, Emmanuel says, ‘Oh, look, he moves like you and even his trunks and his boxing shoes look like yours’.

“Manny always thinks he is copying me and likes the way I fight. I agree with Manny because I used to have my idols. Maybe he looks up to me.

“It depends not just on the will of the promoters but on the will of the fighters because there are a lot of fighters who have ducked the chance of meeting me.”

Klitschko holds the WB), IBF, and WBAworld titles and Price – the best British world heavyweight title prospect since Lennox Lewis – is ­moving rapidly towards a challenge for one of them.

Price has now won all 13 of his ­professional fights and his promoter Frank Maloney, who guided Lewis to the world title, has high hopes for him.

He said: “People may have ­dismissed David’s comment when he said he could become world champion by his 20th fight.

“That doesn’t look a bad prediction now. He could probably earn his chance quickly, but it is about ­becoming world champion and ­having a long reign.”

Klitschko, meanwhile, is preparing to defend his belts against Tony Thompson, 40, in Berne on July 7.

He said: “I understand that I will not be boxing forever and that is why I am enjoying every moment of it.

“I think about retirement. I know it will be over some day. Health and ­motivation are two big factors. If one of those disappears, I am out.”

Klitschko was speaking in London to promote a new film about himself and his elder brother Vitali, the WBC world champion.

He added: “Always, in the history of this sport, the generations change. I am ready and I am there and if a ­challenge comes, I will take it.

“I know the game well and you have to take challenges that come your way.

“That is why I am in the game ­because it is fun to find the right ­strategy, to train and get ready and dominate the way I want.”

He is once again aiming to dominate in his fight with American Thompson, whom he defeated four years ago.

Klitschko has to face him because he has been declared the mandatory IBF challenger and the Ukrainian said: “I didn’t want to lose my belt.

“I am still motivated to defend all of my titles, but it is something of a sore spot because I have no other choice but to fight him.

“He is awfully uncomfortable to fight. His defence is great and my jab doesn’t work with him, which doesn’t ­really make sense to me.”

‘Klitschko’ is out in selected Empire cinemas and will be available to buy on Blu-ray and DVD from May 28, courtesy of Universal Pictures UK.

By Kevin Francis, courtesy of The Daily Starhttp://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=53166