Tyson Fury has called for two British fighters to come out of retirement and face him after the fights never materialised while they were in their prime.
‘The Gypsy King’ has been looking back on bouts that never were, and has claimed that he would still face both David Haye and David Price, despite the pair having hung up the gloves.
It was in the early 2010’s that the Liverpool man was rumoured to be facing Tyson Fury. Price, then British and Commonwealth Heavyweight Champion, had previously beaten Fury in the amateurs. Nothing materialised despite negotiations progressing.
As for Haye, the 2013 fight was signed, sealed and press conference delivered. It would have been either a swan song for the older Haye or a passing of the torch to the younger Fury. It never happened though, as the smaller man received an injury in sparring and pulled out.
Speaking to the RAW podcast by IFL TV, ‘The Gypsy King mused on whether the fights would sell out in the current day.
“I wonder if it would still sell out a stadium if me and big old David Price had a fight. Even though he’s retired, Old Trafford or Anfield I think we sell it out for the WBC World Heavyweight title. Or even if the WBC wouldn’t sanction it, we could do it for the North West title of Great Britain.”
“The rivalry was that big for so long, and he was the only British person to ever beat me, amateur or pro. I think it’d sell out. And I also think that a fight with the toe breaker would sell a stadium out. Do you think me and him [David Haye] would still sell out?”
Fury went on to put the names alongside Anthony Joshua as his biggest domestic rivalries, and called out either Price or Haye to get training and come out of retirement for a last dance.
“There’s still three big rivalry fights in this country for me. Even though they ain’t active or whatever. David Price, David Haye Anthony Joshua. Three … So if you’re out there and I know you’re still out there and I know you’re still in the gym.”
“I still think three of them fights sell out a stadium, and I really do mean that. It’s all about the ‘what if?’ isn’t it?”
Of course, fans will hope that the Anthony Joshua fight actually happens and doesn’t fall into the same category as Haye and Price.
Despite delving into the archives, Fury has a very real fight in front of him targeted for early 2023. He has all but signed the contract to face the heavyweight division’s other belt holder, Oleksandr Usyk, to crown an undisputed champion.