Lauren Price Cruises Into Semi-Final But Her Aim Is For Gold

Lauren Price hammered out a 5-0 warning to her rivals in the 75kg women’s boxing class that she is only at the Gold Coast to win one colour medal this time out – the gold.

The first Welsh female boxer to win a Commonwealth Games medal in Glasgow four years ago, when she won bronze, she completely outclassed Rady Gramane of Mozambique in their quarter-final clash.

That win – she only lost one of the three rounds on one of the five judges’ cards – has set-up a semi-final clash with Canada’s Tammara Thibeault on 13 April, who won a split decision against Cameroonian Clotilde Essiane.

“I now have two Commonwealth Games medals, but I’m not happy with another bronze,” said 23-year-old Price.

“I came here to win the gold and that’s my aim. It’s four years on since Glasgow and I’m a lot more experienced and a lot wiser.

“I felt a bit rusty in there, but my speed gave me an advantage and meant I stayed out of reach. I know I can improve, but it’s a decent start.”

The winner of Price’s next bout will meet either Nigeria’s Millicent Agboegbulem or Australia’s Caitlin Parker. The 34-year-old Nigerian has already had to win two fights to reach the final four, while the 21-year-old Parker disposed of the title favourite from England, Natasha Gale, in her quarter final.

Got the win secured myself a bronze medal onto the semis Friday against Canada we’ve only come for one colour thanks for all the support keep it coming guys ❤️ @TeamWales @WelshBoxing pic.twitter.com/TsmLWrj6TL

— Lauren Price (@LLPrice94) April 9, 2018

Former European champion Gale, who is a member of the GB Boxing podium squad with Price, was beaten 5-0 by Parker in one of the biggest shocks of the boxing programme to date. In the middle of the second round, Gale was penalised a point for grappling.

“My neck was getting pulled back constantly. It didn’t stop me, or how I was going. I had a plan there and it turned out well,” said Parker.

“I knew that she would probably be one of the toughest in my division. I was happy I drew her first up because I knew I could beat her.”

Price’s quarter-final victory means the Welsh boxing team are already guaranteed two bronze medals from their women’s team after Rosie Eccles got through to the semi-finals in the 69kg category with a 5-0 win over Tonga’s Magan Maka She now meets Australia’s Kaye Scott in the semi-final on Wednesday.

Scott won a silver medal at the 2016 world championships, but was beaten by Eccles’ Welsh team mate Price at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games. She was a convincing winner over Nigeria’s Itunu Oriola in her opening fight.

Michael McDonagh didn’t drop a point on the judges’ scorecards in his 5-0 win over Lesotho’s Qhobosheane Mohlerepe and now faces a quarter-final against Papua New Guinean Thadius Katua in his bid to win a medal in the 60kg weight class.

But the Games are over for Billy Edwards and Lynsey Holdaway, who both lost their opening bouts.