Liverpool boxer David Price enjoyed a meteoric rise from Commonwealth gold medallist and Olympic bronze medallist to professional heavyweight with world title ambitions. However, after two defeats to Tony Thompson and an injury-hit 2014, the comeback has been tough. Now a fit-again, more mature David is back with a fight in Berlin in February and big plans for 2015.

How is training going for the fight in Berlin?

It’s going well. I was supposed to fight in December but I got an injury. I had to pull out because we realised what was potentially going to happen this year as far as big fights are concerned. I couldn’t take the chance and jeopardise that so I had to pull out. It was disappointing but it’s lucky for me that it’s healed up quickly and I’m fighting pretty soon after it. I’ve been back in training over Christmas as you would expect and I’m excited about the fight.

Do you feel you’re in good shape to win the fight?

Definitely. It was a great start to the year to have three fights in the space of six months. But I had to get an injury to my hand sorted and that was the priority because it was in a bad way. When I did get it sorted, because I had the time out, I got a septoplasty as well. My nose still appears to be bent or broken on the outside but it gives me more of an airway, which is good because I’ve been struggling with my breathing for the last 10 years.

An opponent hasn’t been announced yet but we want a decent level of opponent for this fight. I need to be stimulated mentally and be excited about the fight.

You won three fights last year, how important was that after losing to Tony Thompson?

The three fights all served a purpose. The first was about getting back under the lights and getting the win. The second was more dangerous. I had to go through the mental side of coming back from being on the floor to win, which I did. In the third I did 10 rounds and it all served a purpose in a way.

Do you feel you are becoming more mature in your preparations for fights?

At the time [of the Thompson fight] I was in a rush to get to the top because I was starting to believe in the hype surrounding me when people were telling me I should be fighting Wladimir Klitschko in two or three fights. I wanted the re-match with Tony Thompson because I wanted to get back to where I was as quickly as possible. In hindsight we should have taken a step back and took one or two fights before thinking about getting back in with him.

The approach we’ve got now is more patient and more relaxed, I’ve taken the pressure right off myself. I’ve already lost to one man and I’m still here – but I don’t want it to happen again. At the end of the day I’m the only person that can put pressure on myself and it affected my performance but I’ve learned from the experience and I’m ready to go.

With potential fights against the likes of Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, what are your ambitions for 2015?

There’s a plan the team have got for me and that’s to get a couple of fights before April and look for a big domestic fight in the summer. In the past I’ve spent too much time muddling my own head with what’s going on outside the ring and looking further down the line.

I’ll leave that to the promoters and management, it’s out of my control. I’ll go to the gym today and that’s how I approach things. Then by the time fight night comes I’ll be the best I can be. This approach has given me more focus. In my opinion thinking about a fight six weeks away isn’t focusing because you’re taking energy away from what you’re doing in the moment.

You’ve done community work with young boxers. Do you think this is an important part of being successful?

It’s definitely important, it’s encouraging young lads to get into the ring and fight.

I met a kid whose trainer explained he walked up in the gym and said to him ‘I want you to make me world champion because I want to be able to look after my mum’. To me it sounded like the kid has nothing and his way out is boxing so I was blown away by that really. I think we should encourage kids to do something that can lay the path for a better life for them. That works for me because it’s important to me.

Do you see parallels with your own career?

I do. Over the years boxing has been my life but I never expected to be where I am now. At that time I don’t know how my life would have shaped up. I doubt it would have been better than it is now as far as people I’ve met and the things I’ve achieved personally. In boxing you learn about respecting other people, respecting yourself and discipline. It’s been good for me and that’s the reason why I like to encourage kids to have a go. Even if they’re not going to be a world beater I still think it can have a positive impact.

David Price will fight as chief support for the WBO World Super Middleweight rematch between Paul Smith and Arthur Abraham on 21 February at the O2 World in Berlin. Tickets available via tickethall.de

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