The British and Commonwealth heavyweight showdown between Tyson Fury and David Price goes to purse bids this week

The two young behemoths of British boxing, 6'9" Tyson Fury and 6'8'' David Price could go head-to-head in a domestic heavyweight blockbuster this May. Last week, Price's promoter Frank Maloney put forward a substantial purse bid, and it is understood that Fury's manager Mick Hennessy has subsequently tabled a counter offer to the British Boxing Board of Control [B.B.B.C] for the right to stage the fight. This week will reveal the outcome of the bidding war and reveal who gets the right to stage what could become the biggest, most lucrative non-world title fight in British boxing history.

23-year-old Fury [17-0, 12 KOs] has by far the most to lose of the two – he is the reigning British and Commonwealth heavyweight champion and is currently ranked seventh by the WBC. It could be argued that taking a fight against such a dangerous fighter as Price would be a foolhardy move by Fury and his promotional team, as aside from a substantial payday, he has everything to lose and nothing to gain. However, Fury comes from proud Irish fighting stock – his father is 1980s British heavyweight contender Gypsy John Fury, and his family have a rich heritage of bareknuckle boxing. As a result, young Fury finds it

impossible to back down from a challenge, especially against a former rival.

Liverpool's 28-year-old Price [12-0, 10 KOs] is in blistering form and would possibly start as the bookies betting favorite should the fight be made. Price is currently on a six fight knockout streak, and last time out demolished the durable and dangerous John McDermott in just 73 seconds.

Last June he took out fellow prospect and personal friend Tom Dallas in two devastating rounds. Prior to that, Price blitzed one-time US hope Rafael Butler inside a round. Price's lance-like left jab is a weapon in itself but it is his howitzer of a right cross that might just be the most potent punch in heavyweight boxing right now. It seems that whenever the right hand lands, the fight is effectively over.

Price also has the greater amateur pedigree of the two, winning the super heavyweight gold medal at the 2006 Commonwealth games in Melbourne, and also picking up a bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Price defeated Fury in the 2006 ABA championships when Tyson was just 17 years old, although he had to climb off the canvas before earning a points victory.

Fury was no slouch himself as an amateur, finishing with a record of 30 wins from 34 fights [26 KOs], earning a bronze medal in the 2006 World Junior Championships as well as winning the 2008 ABA championships before turning professional later that year.

Fury has looked less than impressive in his last two professional fights, being rocked by Nicolai Firtha in the second round of their September 2011 fight before winning in five, and dropped in the second round two months later by Canadian brawler Neven Pajkic before rebounding to TKO his opponent in the third.

However, Fury has proved his mettle by pointing the highly regarded Derek Chisora over 12 rounds last July. Chisora was subsequently robbed of a victory over WBO number one contender Robert Helenius last December, but was rewarded for his efforts with a crack at Vitali Klitschko's WBC heavyweight title, a bout that takes place on February 18 in Germany.

Although Price would appear to have the greater technique and punching power of the two, Fury proved with his win over Chisora that he knows how to defeat a more skillful fighter. While Price has looked sensational recently when allowed to let his punches go, Fury proved against Chisora that he is highly adept at stifling an opponent's offense while landing his own slightly cumbersome but highly effective shots. The Manchester man is also incredibly strong, and possesses a true fighting heart.

It all adds up to a genuinely intriguing and exciting heavyweight clash between two of the brightest young prospects seen in recent years, and the likes of which no other country in the world could boast right now.

Should these two rising stars of the heavyweight division really be facing each other at this stage of their careers?

Probably not, but just like the recent George Groves v James DeGale super middleweight domestic superfight, if the matchup is made, nobody will be complaining!