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Lauren Price put on a punch-perfect performance to write her name in the history books as the first Welsh woman to become a world champion boxer.

The Ystrad Mynach fighter outclassed Jessica McCaskill over eight two-minute rounds to win the experienced American’s unified Ring magazine, WBA and IBO welterweight titles.

Roared on by thousands at Cardiff’s Utilita Arena on Saturday night, Price barely lost a minute of the fight, winning 90-82 on the judges’ scorecards.

The fight was stopped early due to an accidental clash of heads, which left McCaskill badly injured with her left almost entirely shut.

Price, the only Welsh fighter to win Olympic gold as an amateur, becomes a world champion less than two years after her first pro fight in 2022 and in only her seventh bout.

World beater

Remarkably, she has boxed 50 rounds in her professional career and not lost a single one.

In the ringside interview immediately following the fight, the 29-year-old trailblazer for women’s boxing said: “This has got to be up there with winning a gold medal.

“Jessica McCaskill is a credit to the sport, but this was my night.

“I want to create a legacy and I honestly believe this is just the start.

“It took me a couple of rounds to find my rhythm – it was a tough fight, but I enjoyed myself in there tonight.

“I am only going to get better. I am still learning.”

Masterclass

The southpaw superstar pressed the action from the outset, controlling the contest which was broadcast live on BBC Wales and Sky Sports.

Price – wearing black trunks and a black top, with red and gold trim – entered the ring to a spine-tingling rendition of Yma o Hyd by Dafydd Iwan.

In a cagey opening after the first bell, Price captured the centre of the ring and kept McCaskill on the end of a piston-like jab while evading the American’s attacks.

Landing the cleaner, more effective, shots throughout – Price began to box circles around the Chicago native, who is a former two-weight world champion.

McCaskill tried to turn the match into a dogfight with roughhouse tactics but Price was having none of it as she stamped her authority on the contest.

Among the greats

Price’s accolades in the ring rank alongside those of some of the finest fighters Wales has ever produced, regardless of gender, such as greats like Joe Calzaghe and Jimmy Wilde.

After striking gold at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, she was crowned BBC Wales Sports Personality of the Year and awarded an MBE for services to boxing.

Price, who attended Heolddu Comprehensive in Bargoed, won 52 caps for Wales in football and competed for her country in kickboxing before focusing on the ‘sweet science’.

One of the UK’s most highly decorated amateur boxers ever, she won gold medals at the Commonwealth Games, European Games and World Championships.

Last year, Price made yet more history by winning the first women’s British title fight, adding the famed Lonsdale belt which dates back to 1909 to her ever-growing collection of honours.

Caerphilly cleansweep

On the undercard of the world title contest, Kyran Jones, a middleweight, from Tir-y-berth, completed a cleansweep for Caerphilly boxers, winning an all-Welsh clash.

The 26-year-old improved his unblemished record to 10-0, with a points win over the previously unbeaten Lewis Howells in a six-round scrap at the Utilita Arena.

Jones, a tall and rangy fighter, sent Newport-born Howells crashing to the canvas in the first round with a short chopping left hand from the southpaw stance.

In a back-and-forth contest, Jones’ superior footwork ultimately won out as he beat his friend and former teammate, 59-54, on referee Chris Jones’ scorecard.

On an historic night for Welsh boxing, Cardiff super featherweight Kane Shepherd, Swansea heavyweight Moses Jolly and Rhondda featherweight Rhys Edwards all emerged victorious.