Michael van Gerwen is concerned about Gerwyn Price ’s decision to compete at a boxing charity event. The 2021 World champion made the announcement last month and will clash with Rhys "Cool Fly & Flashy" Evans at the Valley Tavern in Fleur De Lys, Wales, scheduled for April 9.
The Welshman sustained a hand injury and was forced to pull out of week five of the Darts Premier League earlier this month - a night which the Dutchman went on to win. The world number two has now returned to the oche, but Van Gerwen thinks his rival is risking further injury by continuing his boxing training.
“I don’t think boxing is good for your body, I think you can get injured. I think it’s not the best decision to make in your life but Gerwyn is Gerwyn,” the three-time world champion said. "He always does things differently so that’s his own thing. I don’t think he’s going to do the fight now with his hand. I’d be surprised. It’s something he likes to do and good luck.”
When asked if he would ever contest a boxing match, the darts star quipped: “No! What do I look like? A boxer or a dart player?" Price claimed his injury had nothing to do with his boxing training and issued an apology for being unable to play that week in Brighton.
“I apologise to everyone this wasn’t the easiest decision,” he tweeted. “I have done everything I can to get my injury right before I play but unfortunately a few days rest for me, just to clarify that my injury was an accident and nothing to do with my charity boxing training.”
Van Gerwen lost to Price on the opening weekend, and blamed the defeat on his lack of concentration. “I think it was not necessary to lose that game, I lost focus,” he said.
“Things like that unfortunately happen in darts. The (Darts) Premier League is too long to not make any mistakes, you need to pick your evenings and make sure you do the right things at the right moments in games." Van Gerwen currently sits top of the Premier League, with Price in fourth spot.
The five-time champion will head home to the Netherlands as Rotterdam will host the next round of the competition. The 32-year-old is ready to perform in front of his home crowd and rather than succumb to any pressure he may face, he is ready to embrace it.
“It’s not only nerves but it’s the adrenaline going through your body because you want to perform and do well," he said. “I always put pressure on myself and I always want to keep it going, winning Premier League nights and winning tournaments, that will never stop, but all that brings extra pressure.”
