Lauren Price vowed to put on a show at the Royal Albert Hall in a career-defining unification showdown with fellow welterweight world champion Natasha Jonas.
The Ystrad Mynach boxer, who holds the WBA, IBO and Ring magazine belts, will take on IBF and WBC champion Jonas as part of an all-women fight card on Friday March 7.
Lauren told Caerphilly Observer she was proud to be headlining at such a historic, iconic venue and could hardly wait to put on a performance in the all-British bout.
“The likes of Mohammad Ali and that have boxed there, so to be headlining that is something that will stick with me forever,” she said.
Lauren added: “I’m really looking forward to it, I’m in a good place mentally and physically – and I just can’t wait to put on a show.”
‘I’ll be bringing them belts back’
The 2021 Tokyo Olympic gold medal winner, who is undefeated with eight wins and two knockouts since turning professional in 2022, will face her toughest test to date.
Jonas, a two-weight world champion, became the first British woman to compete at the Olympics during the 2012 London Games. Since turning pro, she has won 16 of her 19 fights, with nine knockouts, two losses and a draw.
Lauren said “I respect her, I think she’s a good fighter. She’s got a good backhand and lead hook. She’s done great things for boxing over the years.
“But I just believe I’m in my prime, I’m better all round. I believe in myself, I believe I’m too quick and I’m too good, and I’ll be bringing them belts back to Wales.
“There’s nothing personal there. We’re in the fight business. She’s a world champion, I’m a world champion and it makes for a great fight.”
‘That’s the dream’
The most decorated amateur boxer, female or male, to represent Great Britain, Lauren struck gold in the Commonwealth and European Games as well as the worlds.
Lauren vowed to “clean up” the 10.5-stone division, with Friday’s winner in line to face American Mikaela Mayer, who holds the WBO belt, to become undisputed champion.
“I want to be in massive fights and I want to sell a stadium out,” she said. “I’ve played on Cardiff City Stadium a few times, so to box there would be a dream come true.
“And people think I’m mad when I say box at the Principality but that’s the dream before I finish my career: to do a massive fight there.”
The show, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, starts at 7pm on March 7, with ring walks for the main event set to get underway at about 10pm.
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