Price hails sports psychology for rescuing his career as he prepares to return …

By
Mike Dawes


PUBLISHED:

20:00 GMT, 23 January 2014

|
UPDATED:

21:30 GMT, 23 January 2014

David Price believes his work with a sports psychologist can help propel him back into the mix for heavyweight glory.

The Liverpudlian will fight for the first time since back-to-back defeats by Tony Thompson when he returns against Istvan Ruszinski in Stuttgart on Saturday. Price had been scheduled to face Konstantin Airich until the latter failed a medical.

The losses to Thompson last year came at a time when Price’s name was being touted as one of the genuine contenders to take over the throne of the dominant Klitschko brothers.

The road to recovery: British heavyweight David Price (right) returns to the ring on Saturday

The road to recovery: British heavyweight David Price (right) returns to the ring on Saturday

So crushing were the defeats for the British heavyweight that many speculated they could well have signalled the end for the rising pugilist.

Yet, Price is out to prove he is made of sterner stuff and believes the assistance of sports psychologist Terry McElhinny will help him bounce back big in 2014.

‘I’ve now started working with a mind coach, a sports psychologist type of person not long after the second Tony Thompson fight,’ he said.

‘Primarily, he helped pick me up off the floor and helped me lift myself up. Beyond that, we’ve been doing a lot of other stuff, which I wish I had known and I wish I had been taking seriously from my amateur days because it really helps your performance.

Disastrous: Liverpool heavyweight David Price (left) lost twice consecutively to Tony Thompson

Disastrous: Liverpool heavyweight David Price (left) lost twice consecutively to Tony Thompson

‘I was of the opinion that you only needed a sports psychologist if you weren’t mentally strong but everyone could benefit from using that type of thing and it’s definitely working for me.’

The 30-year-old Olympic bronze medallist fights on the undercard of the WBO cruiserweight title fight between Marco Huck and Firat Arslan.

He may not be headlining the show, as he has done in the past, but that is something which he openly welcomes.

‘I’ve been working hard on getting the mental side of things right and the whole situation for this next fight is different,’ he added. ‘I want to be fighting on an event where I’m not the main event and it’s not my hometown, although I do love fighting in Liverpool. It’s just a little bit less of an occasion this Saturday.

Main event: Marco Huck (left) defends his WBO cruiserweight title against Firat Aslan on Saturday

Main event: Marco Huck (left) defends his WBO cruiserweight title against Firat Aslan on Saturday

‘The fight is still as important as any other fight, if not more important. I’m just looking forward to getting into the ring and exchanging punches again with another fighter, with them 10oz gloves on, and getting my arm raised again at the end of the fight because it feels like forever since I’ve won a fight.’

A lot of changes have taken place in the former British and Commonwealth heavyweight champion’s camp since his last outing.

Price has teamed up with Sauerland Promotions, and a changed trainer from Franny Smith, with Adam Booth coming in for a short period before being replaced with respected coach Tommy Brooks.

Overhaul: David Price first linked up with Adam Booth (left) before joining American Tommy Brooks (right)

Overhaul: David Price first linked up with Adam Booth (left) before joining American Tommy Brooks (right)

Overhaul: David Price first linked up with Adam Booth (left) before joining American Tommy Brooks (right)

Price is sure, however, the drastic changes will be rewarding as he looks to put the past behind him and cement his place at the top of the heavyweight division, starting this weekend.

‘I’m not doing this half-heartedly,’ he said. ‘I’m not like dipping my toe back in and saying “let’s see how it goes” - I’m doing it properly. I’ve got a top trainer on the team. I’ve got a top promotional outfit dealing with me. I’m not doing it by halves, I’m doing it properly because I’ve got every faith that I can still achieve what I’ve set out to achieve in the first place.

‘Last year was a write off and that’s gone and now it’s about looking forward and building. After Saturday night a lot of things will feel a lot different for me. They already do anyway because I’m really calm and relaxed about Saturday and am looking to performing and showing people that there is a lot of talent there.

‘The last two performances, they don’t reflect me as a fighter and that’s what I’m hoping to show on Saturday night.’

Price v Ruszinski is live on BoxNation on Saturday at 6pm. Visit www.boxnation.com to subscribe.


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Bert Puttocks,

Dunham Massey,

1 hour ago

All boxers are due respect, it is an incredibly tough sport where you put your life on the line. However.... Price looks a bit chinny and certainly has stamina issues as well. If he doesn't win this one he should retire.

I predict his tiny eyes will spinning around as he slumps to the canvas.

Ashenkorren,

Suffolk,

12 hours ago

Great potential and the 2 losses were against top competition. Even though Tony was near the end the last thing to go was power.

Also he had a lot of craft, the 2 losses was because the fights came too early. Go Pricey your better than the Fury who hasn't taken on anyone of note.

Antonio,

Burnley, United Kingdom,

12 hours ago

He seems a very genuine and humble man,I like him a lot ,he do go a long way.

haslerc,

chester, United Kingdom,

13 hours ago

best of luck David, knock his head off!

spursbadboy,

newcastle, United Kingdom,

13 hours ago

I do like price , he always looked so good, and comes across as a gent not a loud mouth so and so like so many others, this opponent is hand picked so not expecting much at all if honest, will only be able to tell once he steps up to someone good, the two fight he lost , first fight I think was just a freak punch that connected in the worse place and sent him dizzy, second fight was a mental loss not a physical one, he took all of the shots in second fight and did not go down , but was drained, I would love to see him come good , I guess time will tell, good luck to a boxer who is a gent inside and outside the ring .

E.J.,

here, Japan,

18 hours ago

Too early to say if it has been turned around.What if he loses this fight?

Ben,

Huddersfield, United Kingdom,

21 hours ago

I just hope you don't turn in to the next audley harrison. C'mon Pricey!!!

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