Frank Maloney Signs Heavyweight Prospect David Price

Olympic super-heavyweight bronze medallist David Price has signed a three-year promotional deal with Frank Maloney.

Price, 26, will have his first fight under the Maloney banner at Sunderland’s Seaburn Centre on October 16 and boxes again seven days later, on October 23, at Bolton Arena.

Maloney, who famously steered Lennox Lewis to the world heavyweight title, tips the 6ft 8in Liverpool star to reach the very top.

He said: “With the right handling and the right fights, David Price can become a superstar and a household name.

“Heavyweights are different to other boxers. They have to be handled and guided differently.

“If he knocks over a few people, I certainly won’t be rushing David quickly. Look how badly Tyson Fury was exposed after eight fights against John McDermott.

“It was the help and backing of Sky Sports that paid a big part in making Lennox a hero all over the world, and their support will also benefit David.”

Maloney believes his record with heavyweights helped persuade Price to join his stable despite other offers.

He added: “Many people get heavyweights wrong, but I think my record with them is as good as anybody.

“The Lennox years are well documented, but I also spotted the potential of John Ruiz and Nikolai Valuev in their early years and helped develop them.

“Domestically I took James Oyebola and Julius Francis to titles and I have even taken an average fighter, Mike Holden, to the British championship.”

Price turned professional after his Olympic success and in his only paid fight to date, stopped Dave Ingleby in three rounds in March.

Price has been one of Britain’s most successful amateurs in recent years and there is every belief he can take than form into the professional ranks

In 2006, he landed gold at the Melbourne Commonwealth Games by defeating Welshman Kevin Evans in the final.

There was real hope that Price would repeat that success in last summer’s Beijing Olympics when he stopped competition favourite Islam Timurziev in his preliminary round match

A win over Jaroslavas Jaksto guaranteed a medal, but in the semi-final Price lost to Italian Roberto Cammarelle and had to be content with a bronze medal.

Price represented his country all over the world winning many competitions including the Commonwealth Confederations and EU gold.

At home Price has been dominant winning three ABA titles while wearing the famous vest of Liverpool’s Salisbury ABC during his amateur career of almost 100 bouts.

On his way to the 2006 ABA title among his victims was Fury, who he easily outscored 22-8 in their clash.

Maloney stressed that he hasn’t signed Price as a replacement for another Olympics Darren Sutherland, who tragically died last week.

He explained: “I know people might think this has suddenly happened, but I first spoke with David at the beginning of the month.

“We had agreed terms a few days before the dreadful events of last week, but it was not the time to make any announcements.”