• Heavyweight

Thompson vowing to halt Price march

Tony Thompson was overpowered by Wladimir Klitschko last summer © Getty Images

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Tony Thompson is vowing to shatter the plans for a British heavyweight showdown between Tyson Fury and David Price by toppling the latter when they meet later in February.

Fury and Price are two of the most talked about fighters in the heavyweight division at present, sparking talk of an impending golden era for British boxing. Their respective promoters have so far failed to agree on a deal to put the pair in the ring together, which has led to the Price camp taking a fight with Thompson.

Price's promoter Frank Maloney has admitted putting his man in the ring with Thompson is a risk, a view well justified as the American has lost just three fights - two of which were at the hands of Wladimir Klitschko.

Thompson's most recent fight was a sixth-round stoppage at the hands of Klitschko and he feels that he needs to make an impact if he is to remain in the world title picture.

"Fury didn't want to know when I said I was up for coming to England and boxing him, and at least David took the job," Thompson said. "All I keep reading is that David fighting Fury is the hottest ticket in UK boxing. It'll be a cold ticket once I beat David.

"Of course, I appreciate how big a fight it is over there but it won't have the same financial value or appeal when David has a defeat next to his name.

"David's promoter Frank Maloney knows his stuff but he has made a major mistake in bringing me over because I lost my last fight.

"It was against Wladimir Klitschko and there is no shame in that, and I still have ambition.

"Beating David will make sure I stay in the world title picture."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.