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Lauren Price MBE will fight in front of a home crowd when she takes on Stephanie Pineiro Aquino in Cardiff this April.

Price, 31, will defend her WBA, WBC, IBF, IBO and Ring Magazine World Welterweight Titles against the Peurto Rican at the Utilita Arena on April 4. 

The fight, which will be Price’s tenth as a professional, will be aired live on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer.

Olympic gold medallist Price, from Ystrad Mynach, signed her first professional contract in 2022 with Boxxer, and remains unbeaten since – with nine wins and two knock-outs.

Her most recent fight came in March last year, where she defeated Natasha Jonas at the Royal Albert Hall in London to unify the welterweight world titles.

Price has since been calling for an undisputed fight with WBO ruler Mikaela Mayer. However, she must first overcome her mandatory challenger Aquino, who is undefeated in ten fights, with three knock-outs.

Currently ranked number 3 in the world by The Ring, Aquino – known as ‘The Medicine’ – is the reigning WBA Interim World Welterweight Champion. 

Aquino can expect a lively reception in Cardiff as Price fights at home in Wales for the first time since her historic win over Jessica McCaskill in 2024. 

‘Nothing is going to stop me’

Speaking after the fight was announced, Price said: “Defending my world titles at home in Wales means everything to me. I want to repay the support everyone has shown me with another great performance.

“I never turn down a challenge. Stephanie Pineiro Aquino is a dangerous fighter, but nothing is going to stop me from getting my hand raised on April 4 in Cardiff. Yma o hyd.”

However, Aquino warned: “I respect everything Lauren Price has achieved, but I have worked all my life for this moment, and I am ready to show I am the best in the world.

“Lauren may have the home fans on her side, but I have a country behind me too. I am coming to take those belts back to Puerto Rico.”

‘Another massive moment’

Ben Shalom, founder and CEO of Boxxer, said: “Lauren Price is not just a world champion, she is a Welsh sporting icon and one of the greatest athletes the country has ever produced.

“To bring a huge world title defence home to Cardiff for her, live on BBC Two, is something we’re incredibly proud of.

“This is a serious test against a top-class opponent but these are exactly the nights Lauren thrives on. April 4 will be another massive moment for her.”

There was also praise for Price from BBC Sport director Alex Kay-Jelski – who said she has the “potential to become one of biggest stars in British sport”.

“This is a huge moment both for Lauren and for the sport,” he added.