• Heavyweight

Maloney reveals Fury offer called a 'joke'

ESPN staff
December 7, 2012
David Price was impressive in disposing of Matt Skelton © PA Photos
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David Price's promoter Frank Maloney has called on Tyson Fury's camp to come to the table, after revealing an offer he made was described as a "joke".

Price and Fury are two of the biggest draws in heavyweight boxing at present, with both climbing the ladder. They have traded insults and there is huge interest in a fight between the pair.

Both were victorious last weekend, with Fury's win over Kevin Johnson leading to talk that he could be set to face one of the Klitschko brothers. That is something Maloney is aware of and has called on his team to either work on a fight with Price or walk away.

"An offer was made to Tyson Fury guaranteeing him a £650,000 purse to challenge David Price for the British and Commonwealth heavyweight titles," he said on frankmaloney.com. "Tyson's promoter Mick Hennessy turned down the offer, describing it as a 'joke' and added that David would have to 'step up to the plate on our terms'.

"Since then I have sent Mick an email asking if there is a way for myself and him to sit down to try and make the fight. Team Price can also then hear what Mick meant when he said 'our terms'.

"Price v Fury would be a massive attraction for next summer and both men could have an interim contest before meeting.

"Apart from David Haye fighting Vitali or Wladimir Klitschko it is the biggest contest in the heavyweight division.

"I understand Team Fury's hesitancy because they believe they are close a fight against one of the Klitschko brothers. If that is the route Mick and Tyson are going, make that clear and both sides can go their own way.

"Until both teams get around a negotiating table there is little more Team Price can do to make this domestic blockbuster happen in the immediate future."

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