David Price has accelerated his pursuit of Anthony Joshua by claiming the IBF world heavyweight champion is only proven at domestic level.
Promoter Eddie Hearn has already insisted Price (20-3-KO17) will not be Joshua's second challenger but with a domestic showdown still possible in 2017, the towering Liverpudlian is already fanning the flames.
"In reality, Anthony Joshua (17-0-KO17) is a British champion with a world title around his waist," he told World Boxing News.
"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 returned from nearly a year out of the ring in May when he halted Vaclav Pejsar and has also been linked to a clash with Joshua's current mandatory challenge Joseph Parker.
In addition to Parker, Bermane Stiverne and Kubrat Pulev have been named as Joshua's other possible opponents for November 26.