In a sport where titles come and go, true insight often comes from those who’ve stepped away from the ring. Former heavyweight contender David Price may no longer lace up gloves for competition, but his perspective carries the weight of experience, from Olympic highs and domestic pressure to brutal setbacks and public scrutiny.
In a recent interview with 247Bet, which was produced for boxing and MMA betting enthusiasts, Price offered a grounded, honest look at the state of heavyweight boxing today, the inner world of elite fighters like Tyson Fury, and the rising stars who carry the future of British boxing.
David Price has lived the sport from inside the ring and now offers a view many fans miss. As scheduled cards and live odds shape public perception of fighters, favourites, underdogs, and returning names alike, his perspective in this conversation focused on what the numbers don’t show.
Tyson Fury and the Fight to Stay Motivated
Price knows the sport never really leaves you. That’s why he understands Tyson Fury’s decision to return, again.
“I just think he’s got very little purpose outside of boxing. And I get that,” Price shared. “It’s all right having all the money in the world… but he needs that purpose. He needs that to drive, to get up at 4:00 in the morning.”
Fury’s comebacks have often been framed as about legacy, but Price sees a more personal hunger: structure, identity, meaning.
“There will be one day when he is too old and he’ll go, ‘Why didn’t I just keep doing it while it’s still there?’”
And while Price believes Fury’s physical peak may have passed, “Probably the Deontay Wilder fights were Tyson Fury’s peak”, he still sees a fighter capable of winning at the highest level. “He’s at 38, I’d say he’s still good enough to compete, without a doubt.”
But there’s caution too. “Reflexes… that’s one of the first things that goes as a fighter,” Price warned. “It depends on what Tyson Fury’s reflexes are like, because that’s one of his greatest assets.”
What Really Defines A Champion
Price didn’t just speak about Fury’s body, he focused on what really defines a champion: mental strength.
“As far as the mental side goes in boxing, he’s the king of mental toughness, isn’t he?” Price said. “His mental strength, that’s what’s got him to where he is, to be fair.”
It’s something Price admits he struggled with during his own career.
“I put a lot of pressure on myself, and that was because of the expectations outside… I was in too much of a rush.”
That contrast shapes his view of today’s rising talent. The ones who last, he says, aren’t just physically gifted, they know how to manage pressure and stay grounded.
Moses Itauma and the Calm Before the Storm
When asked about the future of British heavyweight boxing, Price doesn’t hesitate.
“Moses Itauma is obviously the standout, the standout name.”
But it’s not just the power or speed that impresses him, it’s Itauma’s mentality.
“He’s got a great mindset and a great way about him, which will carry him a long way,” Price said. “He doesn’t seem to be flash or outspoken. He just gets the job done.”
Comparing him to a young Anthony Joshua, Price noted, “He was frighteningly good and moved quickly. Really. So I could compare Moses Itauma to that.”
And despite his age, Price believes Itauma is ready to take the leap.
“He’s definitely ready. He could do with more rounds or whatever else, but if you can’t get the rounds, you’re not just going to keep treading water because you’re too good for them.”
Caution and Competition in a New Era
Price still watches the division closely and isn’t afraid to give blunt assessments. When asked about Fury’s potential return fight, he didn’t hesitate to name a risk.
“If he’s coming off a layoff, he should avoid Fabio Wardley,” Price advised. “He’s got momentum, he’s young, he’s fresh.”
Wardley, in Price’s eyes, is part of the new breed, alongside names like Dalton Smith and Daniel Dubois, who bring speed, ambition, and danger. And for all the talk of comebacks and legacy, Price knows that timing and matchmaking still matter.
“You’ve got to look at the risk-reward element, and I think there’s more risk than reward with Fabio Wardley.”
Lessons from Loss and Persistence
Some of Price’s most powerful reflections came not from fights won, but from moments where resilience mattered more than outcome. Speaking about a semi-final win at the 2006 Commonwealth Games, he recalled being knocked down three times before coming back to win by stoppage in the final seconds.
“Although I didn’t perform really well, I just showed the heart to keep getting up, keep going, and then it paid off.”
In that story, as in much of his commentary, there’s an underlying theme: success is about more than victories. It’s about a character in a struggle. And image after the crowd goes home.
Focus On The Journey Itself.
When reflecting on his own journey, Price is clear-eyed. There’s no revisionism, only honesty and hard-won wisdom.
“I think if he can have a mature mindset like that… just taking each day as it comes, each fight as it comes… it’ll come of its own accord in the end.”
That advice, though aimed at Itauma, feels like a message for any fighter, or any man, trying to navigate ambition, expectation, and identity.
In the end, Price may no longer be fighting in the ring, but his voice carries something that’s becoming rarer in boxing: perspective without bitterness, clarity without cliché.
He knows what it’s like to win under pressure, and what it means to keep showing up when the story doesn’t go as planned. That’s what gives his insights weight. And why, when he talks about purpose, people should listen.