Lauren Price Expresses Goal to Revitalize Major Boxing in Wales

Following her decisive victory against Bexcy Mateus, WBA welterweight world champion Lauren Price expressed her ambition to “bring big-time boxing back to Wales.” The 30-year-old achieved her second stoppage victory in her undefeated eight-fight professional career, marking the first defense of her title. Price is now expected to face IBF and WBC champion Natasha Jonas, who defeated Ivana Habazin in the main event on Saturday. Reports indicate that a bout between Price and Jonas has been agreed upon, with contracts signed. The contest is anticipated to occur in March, with London suggested as the probable host city. The victor of this match would then require only Mikaela Mayer’s WBO title to become the undisputed welterweight champion. “I believe I am the best at 147lbs,” Price stated to Sky Sports following her win. She added, “Fight by fight I keep learning, I have so much more to come.” Price reiterated her goal, saying, “I want to bring big-time boxing back to Wales.” Price’s previous fight in Wales occurred in May 2024, when she defeated Jessica McCaskill to claim her first world championship. Despite the possibility of her next fight against Jonas taking place outside Wales, the Ystrad Mynach native expressed a clear desire to compete against her fellow Briton next. “For the British fans I would love to fight Tash,” Price further commented. She described it as, “It’s one hell of a fight for British fans and boxing in general.” Price also stated, “In this pro game you have to call the shots. If you’re a world champion and you have titles you should fight anyone.” She concluded, “I have a few years in me but next year I want to be chasing belts. I want to be an undisputed world champion.” Later on Saturday evening, speaking to BBC Radio 5Live after Jonas’s victory, Price promptly offered her prediction for the prospective match. “I’m in my prime, she’s coming towards the end of her career,” Price remarked. “I respect that, but I believe I win that fight.” She added, “If it was down to me, we would have been fighting here tonight.” Price concluded, “But she [Jonas] doesn’t want the fight, I get it.”