Lauren Price defends belt with third-round knockout victory

Lauren Price defended her world titles with a vicious knockout win to set up a unification showdown with British rival Natasha Jonas.

Price put on a punch-perfect performance at Exhibition Centre Liverpool, knocking out previously unbeaten opponent Bexcy Mateus in the third round.

On the same card, IBF welterweight champion Jonas outpointed Ivana Habazin over 10 rounds to pick up the WBC belt to set up a domestic dust-up for all the titles.

Price, who improved her flawless record to eight wins in eight pro fights, retained the WBA, IBO and Ring welterweight world titles in clinical fashion.

The Ystrad Mynach fighter found her rhythm and range early, landing a looping left hook in the closing seconds of the first to send her Colombian opponent crashing to the canvas.

Supremely skilled

Midway through the next round, the supremely skilled southpaw stepped in with a piston-like straight left hand to put Mateus down for a second time.

Price wobbled her opponent against the ropes with the same punch in the closing stages of the third round before sending her sprawling with a final left cross to the jaw.

With Mateus badly hurt, and her corner throwing the towel into the ring, referee Steve Gray waved the fight off one minute and 42 seconds into the round.

Mateus, who was previously ranked number five in the world by the WBA, barely landed a glove as 30-year-old Price made her fall short with feints and countered at will.

Since her first pro fight in 2022, the Olympic gold medallist, one of the most decorated Welsh fighters of all time, male or female, has boxed more than 50 rounds and won them all.

‘Happy days’

Interviewed ringside, Price told Sky Sports she was over the moon with the performance.

“I enjoyed myself in there tonight,” she said. “I wanted to make a bit of a statement.”

Price, whose coach Robert McCracken guided Anthony Joshua’s early career, said she is still improving with every fight, warning rivals there is more to come.

Asked about her vicious display in just a second knockout win of her career, she said: “You’ve seen tonight now: I’m not just all about speed – I can bang as well, so happy days.”

The trailblazer, who was the first women’s British professional champion, told Sky Sports: ““I’m still learning but I believe I’m the best … I want to bring big-time boxing back to Wales.”

Collision course

Price, who is seemingly on a collision course with Jonas, said: “It will be a great British fight. 

“When I turned over as Olympic champion, I wanted to be involved in massive fights and it’s one hell of a fight for us British fans – not just for women’s boxing but boxing in general.

“And I believe I win that fight.”

After both successfully retained their world titles, Price and Jonas met in the ring with a unification fight now pencilled in for March in London,

The Liverpudlian, who is a two-weight world champion, attempted to rile her rival, saying: “Be careful what you wish for, be careful what you ask for.”

Price replied: “Too young, too quick, too good … OK, we’ll see.”