Joshua vs Parker: David Price is targeting a career-changing win and The Panel have given their verdict
Thursday 29 March 2018 15:34, UK
David Price can dramatically transform his career with a win over Alexander Povetkin and The Panel of experts reveal their hopes and fears for the heavyweight.
The Liverpudlian can put disappointing defeats firmly behind him when he battles Povetkin on this Saturday's undercard for Anthony Joshua's unification clash with Joseph Parker, live on Sky Sports Box Office.
A stunning upset victory would propel Price back into title contention as Povetkin holds a lofty ranking with the WBA, but can Price pull it off?
Our Sky Sports experts have shared their opinions...
Carl Froch
It's a long route back for Pricey after what he's been through. I wish we could all put it down to the drug cheats he had to face, but the one thing I want is for Price's heart to see him through.
Fair play for taking that, but the one thing we need - and want - to see is Price coming through a proper, proper test.
Povetkin is a former world champion, who wants it again and is probably his toughest opponent, so fair play for taking that, but the one thing we need - and want - to see is Price coming through a proper, proper test.
Tony Bellew
I've got the Rosary beads out, hoping the David Price that I know will turn up. If he does, he can knock out absolutely anybody. He is one of the biggest punchers in world boxing and, if he hits Povetkin with his right hand…
I've been in the ring with a lot of men - either David Price or David Haye have hit me the hardest.
The great thing for Pricey is that there is no pressure on him. Everyone expects him to get blown away. This is when Pricey is at his best. When people expect Pricey to deliver, he struggles. His biggest obstacle is himself. I've been in the ring with a lot of men - either David Price or David Haye have hit me the hardest.
Johnny Nelson
His problem is that, mentally, he has collapsed in the past.
This is a winnable fight because he is a big puncher.
He's been out in the wilderness and needed a jolt. He's looking at Anthony Joshua, who name-checked him to say Pricey put him down in sparring, and that's his inspiration.
Price knows this is last-chance saloon. This is a winnable fight because he is a big puncher.
Jamie Moore
If Price wins it will be a massive turning point in his career. He has the tools to do it. But mentally, can he pull through those bad patches? He had a nightmare when he fell apart [against Christian Hammer].
He has the attributes to give anyone problems.
If he can overcome mental demons, he can be a force. He has the attributes to give anyone problems.
Matthew Macklin
A lot of it is psychological with him. He was an Olympic gold medalist, he looked really good when he first turned over and was sparking everybody else, but he seems to have some demons in his head.
He needs a platform to build on and beating Alexander Poverkin would be ideal if he could do it.
Pricey seems to let it get the better of him and he just looks too nervous, and it all stems from there. He needs a platform to build on and beating Alexander Povetkin would be ideal if he could do it. He's got a puncher's chance, but it is a big, big 'if'.
David Coldwell
I hope he smashes him, I really do. Regardless of whether I have trained him or not, Pricey's right hand has the power to knock any heavyweight out.
He's a lovely kid and I hope he gets to taste that level of fighting and that right could land him in there.
But can he perform on the night, in the big fights? We'll have to wait and see. It would be a great story if Pricey got to fight for a world title. He's a lovely kid and I hope he gets to taste that level of fighting and that right could land him in there.
Of course, I have seen what he can do in the gym and he is capable of beating anyone out there, but you've got to put what you've got in the gym into a fight - and it's only Pricey that can do that.
