So far in her short professional career Lauren Price has looked imperious.
An Olympic gold medallist at the Tokyo Games, the Welsh star has only boxed six times since turning pro but has won every round she’s contested.
Price became the inaugural women’s British champion last year with her shutout victory over Kirstie Bavington.
Live Fight Night
Saturday 11th May 7:30pm
But on May 11 she will take a huge step up in class when she challenges Jessica McCaskill for the WBA welterweight world title.
McCaskill was formerly an undisputed champion who has never lost a decision at 147lbs.
But Price remains supremely confident.
“They all say they’re going to come and take my head off, it’s a different game when they’re in there with me,” she told Sky Sports. “When it gets tough in those rounds, I’ll get through them.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Lauren Price’s promoter Ben Shalom feels now is the right time for her to challenge for a maiden world title against Jessica McCaskill in only her seventh professional fight.
“She probably is going to ask questions of me. It’s going to be my toughest fight. I know that and I respect that but I still believe that I’m the better boxer.
“I can’t see her outboxing me in any way. But that’s her game, to make it messy and rough,” Price added.
“If anything it’s better for me, her charging at me and me picking my shots and going from there.”
Although her professional experience might be limited, Price is convinced her amateur background, in which she boxed and beat all the best opponents across the globe to win Olympic, World, European and Commonwealth Games gold medals, has prepared her for this moment.
“Every style I’ve come across in the amateurs has obviously set me up for fights like this,” Price said. “I’m at my peak. I’m just ready for it. She’s been around, she’s done it.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Lauren Price is determined to bring the glory days back to Welsh boxing when she challenges Jessica McCaskill for her WBA and WBC welterweight titles at the Utilita Arena in Cardiff on May 11.
“I respect her as well for taking the fight for starters. I called a lot of the champions out and I didn’t really get much back.
“It’s a good fight, a fight I believe I’m ready for and I’m going to win.”
The opportunity is all the more important to her as it will be a homecoming fight – her first bout in Wales in a decade.
“A big thing I haven’t experienced yet is fighting at home with a home crowd. But obviously I’m going to enjoy that as much as possible, soak it all in, take in the atmosphere and then when I’m in the ring, I’ve got to switch on and get down to business,” she said.
“That was one of the things I wanted to do, was headline in Wales and put Wales on the map and bring big nights back to Cardiff.”
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Jessica McCaskill believes her superior experience in the professional ranks will see her emerge victorious in her bout with Lauren Price, who is challenging for a world title in just her seventh fight.
Price’s ambitions really are just beginning.
“We’ve seen what Katie Taylor’s done for Ireland and I want to do the same for Wales,” she said.
“I want to be involved in big fights. I want to fight in Cardiff. I want to create that legacy. I want to go on for a few years and become a multi-weight world champion and create greatness.”
It’s one of the biggest sporting events in a generation. Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk collide for the undisputed world heavyweight championship on Saturday May 18, live on Sky Sports Box Office. Book the fight now.
Ad content | Stream Sky Sports on NOW
Stream Sky Sports live with no contract on a Month or Day membership on NOW. Instant access to live action from the Premier League, EFL, F1, England Cricket and so much more.
