David Price has claimed that IBF title holder Anthony Joshua still needs to prove that he can perform above domestic level.
Joshua has stopped all 17 of his opponents inside the distance and has already made one defence of his version of the world title, but Price - who is looking to face the Olympic gold medallist in March - says that his rival has benefited from everything "falling into place".
The 33-year-old told World Boxing News: "In reality, Anthony Joshua is a British champion with a world title around his waist. Let's face it, his world title fights weren't against world-level contenders. It's just the way everything has fallen into place.
"Don't get me wrong, he's taken full advantage of it, but I wish things fell into place like that for me when I was British champion. I suppose someone up there likes him.
"I'm not taking anything away from Anthony because he is massively talented, but the reality is he's got to step up his opponents now."
Price could face current IBF mandatory challenger Joseph Parker on the undercard of Joshua's next title defence in Manchester on November 26.
Darren Plant
