Lauren Price, the unified world welterweight champion, is ready to make a bold statement in her home country. She's turning down a prestigious fight at the Royal Albert Hall to defend her titles in Wales, a decision that might surprise many in the boxing world. But Price, a proud Welsh athlete, is determined to bring the big fights to her nation.
The 31-year-old Price has been out of the ring since her impressive victory over Natasha Jonas in March 2022, where she added the WBC and IBF titles to her WBA crown. And now, after a long wait, she's set to make her highly anticipated return on April 4 at the Utilita Arena in Cardiff.
Price, a former Olympic champion, expressed her excitement: "I'm thrilled to be back in the ring, especially in Cardiff. I've been eager to fight, but the politics of boxing delayed my comeback." She had previously stated her ambition to become an undisputed champion by the end of 2022, but that goal has been postponed.
Despite attending Mikaela Mayer's successful WBO welterweight title defense against Sandy Ryan in Las Vegas, Price's own return to the ring has been delayed. Initially expected to fight in August, she now faces a 13-month gap between bouts.
But Price is undeterred, stating, "I'm back in training and ready to go. I can't wait to put on a show for my fans." With nine professional fights under her belt and an unbeaten record, she's eager to showcase her skills.
While there hasn't been an official announcement for the Cardiff event, the British Boxing Board of Control has posted a notice for a bout between Welsh fighter Rhys Edwards and Gulraj Powar from Birmingham on the same date, indicating that the show is likely to go ahead.
Ben Shalom, founder and CEO of Boxxer, will promote the fight. Price, a multi-talented athlete who also won gold at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and represented Wales in international football, believes her Welsh identity is integral to her success.
She passionately declares, "I want the big fights, and I want them in Wales. I was offered the Albert Hall, but my dream is to sell out stadiums in my home country, following in the footsteps of Joe Calzaghe." And this is where it gets intriguing—is Price's decision a strategic move or a heartfelt choice? Could this be a turning point in Welsh boxing history?
What do you think? Is Price's decision to fight in Wales a bold statement or a risky move? Will this inspire a new generation of Welsh boxers? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
