Lauren Price will fulfil the two targets she set herself as a professional fighter if she defeats Jessica McCaskill on May 11.
She challenges the WBA and Ring Magazine welterweight champion at the Utility Arena in Cardiff, Wales, meaning that for the first time she will be paid to fight in the country of her birth.
Her other ambition as a prizefighter was to win a world title, and in only her seventh professional contest – against a decorated champion who has had more world-title fights than Price has had fights – in the event of victory she may even consider herself to have matched her Olympic gold medal at Tokyo 2020.
“I had two things on my list when I turned over,” the 29 year old said. “I wanted to box in Wales, and I wanted to become world champion. Welsh boxing – for me to follow in the footsteps of Joe Calzaghe; he’s a complete legend and that’s what I want to do. I want to become a Welsh legend. I want to bring big nights back to Wales and it’s a little bit of added pressure because you’re coming out in front of your own fans which is something I have yet to experience, but I’ve had pressure my entire career.
“I’ve dealt with pressure and I’m sure I’ll come through with flying colours when I come out in front of my own fans and I’m soaking it all up. I haven’t boxed at home in about 10 years so it’s going to mean the world to me.
“When I first turned professional, I turned over as Olympic champion and everyone expected me to move fast. Six fights and when you look at those six fights I feel like I’ve enjoyed myself in there but I haven’t really been tested.
“I haven’t really got out of first gear. I’ve won every round quite comfortably so for me now it’s going to be my seventh professional fight but I want to be involved in these big fights.”
If Price has never lost a round as a professional, McCaskill, 10 years her senior, remains unbeaten at welterweight. Price also fights to become Wales’ first female world champion. When she won the vacant British welterweight title against Kirstie Bavington in 2023 she earned the first women’s British title.
“I’ve got complete respect for Jess McCaskill, she’s a legit champion,” Price continued. “It’s not as if I’m going in there boxing for a vacant title. She’s been there, worn the t-shirt and I’ve got complete respect for that. I know it’s my toughest test to date but I believe in myself. [Trainer] Rob [McCracken] believes in me. I believe I win, and I can’t wait.
“I last boxed in December, and I said in fight week – I put it out there – I said, ‘I will fight any one of the champions’, and I’ve gotta give respect to Jessica again for giving me a chance, because the others didn’t wanna know. I can’t wait to get it on. I know it’s my toughest test so I’m going to train my arse off the next few weeks and give it my all.
“It’s pretty crazy. I’m very proud to be Welsh. To become the first ever [champion], that’d be special.”
