DAVID HAYE
I WAS a little worried when Joseph Parker pulled out, but fortunately we were able to get an opponent who will pose plenty of questions. David Price is so big. He’s got long arms and he’s a big, big hitter. I’ve sparred many rounds with him over the years. On his day, if you don’t take him 100 per cent seriously, if you allow him to land that big right hand, you’ll be in trouble. Dereck has sparred with him a couple of times, so he knows what he’s about. I believe he’s going to bring the best out in Dereck.
We’ve been working with each other for a year now and things have moved in the right direction. He’s doing all the things that a professional athlete should do. He looks like a different animal. He realises that he’s at a stage in his career where he can’t afford to have a lacklustre performance. If he wins this and then another big one, he could be mandatory for a heavyweight championship belt.