David Price: Tony Thompson fight 'pivotal' to career plans

David Price believes Saturday's fight against Tony Thompson could prove to be a defining moment in his boxing career.

Undefeated Price, 29, will move a step closer to a world title bout if he can beat American Thompson in Liverpool.

He told BBC North West Tonight: "It's got quite a bit of attention because Tony Thompson is probably the toughest opponent I'm likely to have faced.

"It's going to be a big occasion for me and my team, and a pivotal fight in my career I think."

Price added: "I'm feeling relaxed but I can sense the occasion coming. I'm looking forward to it."

Thompson, 41, lost in six rounds to Wladimir Klitschko in his last fight and has stated that defeat is likely to result in his retirement.

He has lost just three of his 39 fights - two of those coming in world title bouts against Klitschko.

Price, an Olympic bronze medallist in 2008, has already won the British and Commonwealth heavyweight titles and told BBC Sport in January that he will soon be ready to challenge the best in the world.

Away from the ring he prefers to keep himself out of the limelight, but has noticed extra attention on him as he prepares for arguably the biggest fight of his professional career so far.

"There are all different characters in the sport and I am what I am," he said. "I'm very grounded, I keep level-headed and I never get ahead of myself.

"I think that's endearing for a lot of people. I'm just a normal person who happens to be good at the sport of boxing and I'm doing pretty well.

"You've got people who like people like myself, you've got people who like the more arrogant type, people like an angry fighter or a flashy one - there's a place for every type of personality in the sport.

"A lot of people seem to be warming to mine. I'm getting a lot of well-wishes and long may it continue."