Tuesday 26 April 2016 17:21, UK
David Price hopes to be reinstated as an IBF-ranked fighter and is targeting a clash with their world champion Anthony Joshua later this year.
The towering Liverpudlian has been defeated by two men in his career; Tony Thompson and Erkan Teper - both of whom have failed drugs tests.
Many boxing figures have reacted angrily to Teper's appearance in the IBF's latest rankings and Price believes that once he becomes active again on the undercard of Tony Bellew's world title shot on May 29, he should be straight back in the mix.
Anthony Joshua is IBF champion of the world looking for a top 15 opponent to fight. I should have been a possibility and that's a massive opportunity I've missed out on.
Price told Sky Sports: "This month, I've seen Teper is still in the rankings. I haven't been active and don't expect to be in there but the month before I fought Teper I was ranked fifth with the IBF. If I hadn't been cheated, it begs the question where I'd be now.
"Anthony Joshua is IBF champion of the world looking for a top 15 opponent to fight. I should have been a possibility and that's a massive opportunity I've missed out on at the hands of a drugs cheat. It made me a bit angry.
"As soon as I have a win, I should get placed back in the top 15 of the IBF rankings so that if any opportunities come about in the future, I can be considered. I've only lost to a drugs cheat and shouldn't have the loss on my record.
"What I don't think I deserve is to be thrown on the scrap heap and have to work myself up over a period of time from a lower level. I think I should be put back where I was.
"It's not about my record. It's about going forward being reinstated to where I was before I was cheated. In any other sport, that's what would happen so I don't see why it shouldn't be the case for me.
"It's about being available. If Joshua gets another voluntary defence this year then I'd like to throw my hat in the ring as an Olympic medallist and a big dangerous heavyweight myself. It'd be an interesting fight."
Bellew issued a damning appraisal of the authorities' attitudes towards performance-enhancing drugs earlier in the week - and Price is in agreement with his fellow Liverpudlian on proposed changes.
He added: "In some European countries, it's a criminal offence to use performance-enhancing drugs in any sport. In combat sport, where people's lives are at risk, it's like putting weights in your gloves.
"It wouldn't be banned if it didn't give you a major advantage. That's why when people are ignorant enough to say I'd have got knocked out anyway. Going through a full training camp on steroids, recovering quicker, hitting harder, running faster - can you imagine the advantage?
"Yes. I think it should be made a criminal offence. I think it's common sense. In the sport of boxing, it certainly is."
