Tuesday 26 July 2016 09:11, UK
David Price’s promoter Kalle Sauerland hopes Eric Molina could be the opponent to springboard the Liverpool puncher back into world title contention.
Sauerland has exclusively confirmed to Sky Sports that he is negotiating to arrange a fight against American veteran Molina (25-3 KO19) for a Matchroom card later this year.
With Anthony Joshua expected to fight in November, Sauerland wants Price (20-3 KO17) to steal the show on the undercard to prove he belongs side-by-side with the unbeaten IBF heavyweight champion.
We've reached out for Molina already, and I don't see a problem with that fight. It's a real test.
He told Sky Sports: "I would expect [Price] to go on the Liverpool show, certainly against decent opposition, leading up to a Molina fight in November.
"The Molina fight is definitely one. We've reached out for Molina already, and I don't see a problem with that fight. It's a real test, a good fight. I think that's something that will happen later this year.
"If he comes through those two, he's right back in the mix. Talking about Anthony Joshua opponents, if [Price] comes through these two fights there will be all sorts of cries, especially from the north-west, for a Joshua-Price fight."
Price most recently eased past Vaclav Pejsar at Goodison Park, ending a 10-month hiatus since suffering a knockout defeat to Erkan Teper who has since failed a drugs test.
Sauerland intends for the re-emerging Price to force himself into a packed heavyweight scene dominated by Joshua and WBA 'Super' and WBO champion Tyson Fury.
"Domestic fights always sell," he said. "They attract the attention of fans and they're great for boxing. Next year there will be big, big fights in the heavyweight division in the UK when you look at the characters around.
"I'm putting David in a position, hopefully, where he's also in that mix. There's five or six good heavyweight names in the UK."
