Lauren Price Inspires New Fight Plans, More Fans . . . And A Poem

By Paul Jones

Lauren Price’s promoter Ben Shalom believes major opportunities await Wales’ new world champion in both welterweight and middleweight divisions.

Price has expressed her determination to unify a stacked women’s welterweight division after winning world belts in only her seventh professional fight.

The Ystrad Mynach fighter added WBA, IBO and Ring Magazine world titles to the Olympic gold medal she won as an amateur at Tokyo three years ago with a comprehensive victory over Jessica McCaskill in Cardiff on Saturday night.

https://twitter.com/NewyddionS4C/status/1789720026427121687

Shalom said: “What we’ve witnessed here was greatness – a superb talent and complete fighter – and I think we’ve seen the start of something special in boxing.

“It’s a tall order to follow Katie Taylor in Ireland and what she did for that country, but I believe Lauren can emulate it in Wales.

“The welterweight division has so many big names, so many big fights, so many big opportunities. The fights are there.

“But you also look up to the middleweight division – where Lauren won her gold medal – and you’ve got Savannah Marshall and Claressa Shields.

“I’ve never seen a fighter that I would feel confident with going up against Clarissa Shields, but with the right development and right path that is the super-fight of the future.

“They could be the two best females in women’s boxing.”

Champion Lauren Price gets a hero’s welcome on her return home https://t.co/v0LfVd24Yf

— Caerphilly Observer (@CaerphillyObsvr) May 12, 2024

McCaskill was unable to continue in the ninth round after an accidental clash of heads left an ugly swelling over the American champion’s left eye and the result in the hands of the three judges.

Price was crowned champion by unanimous scores of 90-82 after a skilled display that must have impressed rival world welterweight belt holders Ivana Habazin, Natasha Jonas and Sandy Ryan, who were all ringside at Cardiff’s Utilita Arena.

“The 147 division has great fights out there for me and I want to go all the way,” said Price after becoming Wales’ first female world champion and 14th in all.

“I want to come back, defend my belts and be in massive fights.

“I know they (the other world champions) were watching, but I’ll speak to my trainer Rob McCracken about the future.

“He’ll decide what I’ll do next and we’ll go from there.

“I said all along it wouldn’t beat that Olympic gold medal, but that ring walk and support I’ve received is definitely up there with it.
“We’re a small nation, but Welsh fans support their own and they came out for me.”

It seems Lauren Price's nan cooked a full Sunday dinner today https://t.co/glzduYhveR

— Twm Owen (@NewsatTwm) May 12, 2024

Price, a former kickboxing world champion and Wales footballer, says she dreams of fighting at the Cardiff City Stadium – where she has played both club and international football – or even the 74,500-capacity Principality Stadium in the Welsh capital.

Price received a hero’s reception from fans and well-wishers when she returned home to Ystrad Mynach on Sunday.

Hundreds gathered outsider her family home and she posed for pictures before she tucked into her favourite Sunday lunch, cooked by her grandmother, Linda Jones.

The honouring of Wales’ latest world champion has even inspired Welsh poet Andrew Challis to write a new verse – “She’s A Belter” in Price’s honour.

https://twitter.com/ESBRBoxing/status/1789653662551183822

She’s A Belter

Yma O Hyd rang out
as Lauren made her way to the ring,
spurred on by her fans
Dafydd’s lyrics they did sing.

In a cauldron of Welsh fire
Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau played,
mighty Y Ddraig Goch
as always proud displayed.

Cool, calm and collected
Lauren she did seem,
to become Wales’ next World Champion
has always been her dream.

Lauren looked unfazed
ready for the fight ahead,
this Ystrad Mynach girl
Bread of Heaven fed.

After a scrappy opening
Lauren’s confidence did grow,
indeed it was our Welsh girl that looked the seasoned pro.

Lauren was on fire
she totally bossed the bout,
a victory on home soil
never realy looked in doubt.

McCaskill had no answer
and so it seemed no plan B,
her eye began to close
making it difficult to see.

Lauren was relentless
with victory in reach,
a real boxing lesson to her opponent she did teach.

Lauren’s hands and feet as always lightning fast,
in truth the Chicago fighter was totally outclassed.

Early in the ninth
the fight came to a stop,
the referee called a halt with Lauren well on top.

The American well beaten
never in it to be precise,
all three of the judges
scoring in favour of Price.

The Cardiff crowd erupted as up went Lauren’s hand,
celebrations started
all across the land.

World Welterweight
title belts Lauren Price she takes,
the first Welsh female champion
as history she makes.

Welsh World Champion number fourteen
Lauren has become,
thoroughly deserved
too right and then some.

Congratulations Lauren
you fought out of your skin,
Cymru’s new World Champion
Congratulations girl
GET IN!!

Lauren reigns supreme
hard work brought this reward,
her name now in the history books
on a night the dragon roared.