David Price has claimed that he takes on a "different persona" when he enters the ring.

The Liverpudlian heavyweight has said that although he feels that he is well liked outside of the sport, he changes when a fight begins.

"I might be a nice person but when I'm in that ring a completely different persona comes out," said the unbeaten fighter.

"It's heavyweight boxing at the end of the day. If I don't finish the job it can give them an opportunity to take me out, it only takes one punch.

"So I want to them out of there as quickly as possible, and when I hit someone, I make sure they stay hit."

Price also claimed that while he sees a place for the typical verbal sparring in the sport, it is not something that he feels that he has to resort to sell his fights.

"It's the noble art. For all the trash-talking involved in boxing – which there is a place for – it's not for me. There is always room for gentlemanly conduct as well," he added.

Price's next fight is against Matt Skelton at Aintree Racecourse on Friday night.