Lauren Price has her eyes set on bringing big-time boxing back to Wales. With her latest performance, she's already looking more than capable of doing just that. The 30-year-old WBA welterweight world champion just delivered a knockout victory at the Exhibition Centre, setting the stage for a potentially historic unification fight.
Price demolished Colombian challenger Bexcy Mateus, dropping her opponent three times with her powerful left hand before the referee stopped the contest in the third round. This meant Price's second stoppage in an undefeated eight-fight professional career that continues to impress.
"With speed comes power, I enjoyed myself there tonight," Price said after the fight. "I wanted to make a bit of a statement." And she did send a statement. Her knockout power surely sent a clear message to her next potential opponent, Natasha Jonas.
Becoming the Undisputed Champion
Price became the first-ever female boxing world champion from Wales when she defeated Jessica McCaskill in May 2024. Notably, this was just her seventh professional fight then. Her sporting credentials are also impressive. She has won four senior world kickboxing titles and even represented Wales at the international level in football.
Now, the upcoming fight against Jonas will see the WBA, IBF, and WBC titles on the line, with the winner just one belt away from becoming the undisputed welterweight world champion. "I believe I am the best at 147 pounds," Price said. "Fight by fight, I keep learning, and I have so much more to come."
For Price, all she wants to do is become an undisputed world champion and bring prestigious boxing events back to her home country. "I want to bring big-time boxing back to Wales," she said.
Price vs. Jonas
The potential fight between Price and Jonas is expected to take place in March, with London suggested as the likely host city. Jonas, a 40-year-old two-weight unified champion who recently added the WBC title to her collection, has her own perspective on the upcoming matchup.
After some initial respectful exchanges, the tension quickly escalated. "Be careful what you wish for," Jonas warned Price, even comparing her confidence to Terri Harper's before their 2020 fight. Price then fired back: "Too young, too quick, too good." When Jonas suggested Price's Olympic victory came when "all the good people had left," Price did not seem to be moved.
"I'm in my prime, she's coming towards the end of her career," Price said. "I respect that, but I believe I will win that fight."
Wrapping Up
Lauren Price has her eyes on proving that she's a world-class athlete capable of unifying the welterweight division. She is just as eager to make history as fans are eager to watch. And she doesn't look afraid while looking into the future. "In this pro game, you have to call the shots," Price noted. "If you're a world champion with titles, you should fight anyone."