Sunday 24 April 2016 14:46, UK
David Price does not think that Tyson Fury receives the respect he deserves as world heavyweight champion.
Unbeaten 27-year-old Fury became the first man to defeat Wladimir Klitschko in more than eleven years last November, claiming the Ukrainian's world titles with a unanimous decision win.
But the outspoken champion has attracted controversy with some of his statements, leading to fierce criticism from sections of the media.
Price became engaged in a verbal battle with Fury when they were potential opponents in the past, but always held his rival in high regard and insists the WBA and WBO king has not been given the rightful recognition.
"Whether they are right or not, he has got his own beliefs, and it's really gone against him, hasn't it?" said Price.
"You're the heavyweight champion of the world, people should be falling over themselves to have him on chat shows, to give him big endorsements and everything else.
He's a likeable character and you've got to admit it was phenomenal what he done over there beating Klitschko.
"Because what he has come out and said and what he believes in, it's made people keep their distance from him, so it's kind of self-inflicted. But I don't believe he is getting the respect as the heavyweight champion. He is the lineal heavyweight champion of the world.
"He's a likeable character and you've got to admit it was phenomenal what he done over there beating Klitschko. Massive respect for that."
Price holds an amateur win over Fury and believes the pair could meet again if he puts his professional career back on track, starting with a planned appearance on Tony Bellew-Ilunga Makabu undercard.
The Liverpudlian said: "Two big giants from the north west and a few fights back in, I still wouldn't rule out fighting Tyson Fury down the line. I'm still the last Englishman to beat him, by the way."
Anthony Joshua is also a world champion after his second round stoppage of Charles Martin and Price is glad to return to a thriving heavyweight division.
"He has took the opportunity with both hands, which I expected him to do really," said Price. "Before the fight, I was asked questions and I didn't want to make it sound like it would be a washout.
"If I can get a couple of wins under my belt, at the end of the day I'm still a dangerous fighter, despite my losses.
"I'm an Olympic medallist like Anthony Joshua, two big men, and I think it would be a fight that the public would be interested in. Let's see what happens in my next couple of fights and we can start talking a bit more about it potentially happening."
