Lauren Price to take on USA’s Jessica McCaskill as she bids to become world champion

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Ystrad Mynach’s Lauren Price MBE will fight for the first time in 2024 when she takes on Jessica McCaskill in Cardiff on Saturday May 11.

Price, who is undefeated since turning pro in 2022, will challenge USA’s McCaskill for the WBA, IBO, and World Welterweight titles at the Utilita Arena.

A win would see Price make history by becoming Wales’ first female world champion.

It will be her first fight since defeating Italy’s Silvia Bortot in Bournemouth in December.

Price, 29, said she was “over the moon” after the fight was announced and said: “The fact it’s in Cardiff is amazing. I’ve not boxed there since I first started out which was a good few years back now.

“I can’t wait to put on a show in front of my friends, family, and Welsh supporters who have been great in supporting me throughout my career.

“It’ll be an incredible night for sure, to beat the reigning champion in Wales and keep the world titles here will be some feeling.”

Speaking about her opponent, Price said: “Jessica McCaskill is the current champion. She’s game, experienced and strong but I’ll be 100% ready for whatever she brings on the night.

“I believe in my ability. I back myself and like I said earlier, I can’t wait to bring those world titles back home to Wales, and hopefully this will line me up to bring more massive nights back to Wales in the near future.”

However, two-weight world champion McCaskill, who hails from Chicago, will be keen to spoil Price’s party. She said: “I don’t know much about Price but when it comes to fighters from the UK the expectation is usually lots of back pedalling and holding.

“I don’t know if this will be the case but coming to Wales means Price is hopefully going to want to put on a good show.

“That’s exactly what I want because I plan on doing the same. I’m here to steal all of her fans. I’m going to show her what it takes to be a champion and the belts will be coming back to America with me.”

Ben Shalom, CEO of Boxxer, described Price as “one of the most talented and decorated athletes that Wales has ever produced”, and said her fight against McCaskill was a chance for her to “establish herself as one of boxing’s future pound-for-pound stars”.

He continued: “I believe we are looking at an icon of the sport. She is already a gold medallist, already an MBE, and this is a real milestone and a monumental moment in her career.

“This is something she has worked towards since she first put on a pair of gloves. I expect a hero’s welcome for her in Cardiff and hopefully a historic performance and the first of many memorable nights in Wales.”