Lauren Price Aims For Next Step Towards Undisputed Domination

By Gareth James

Welsh boxing sensation Lauren Price is on a mission to solidify her dominance in the welterweight division and set the stage for a highly anticipated showdown with Natasha Jonas.

Price, the reigning WBA welterweight champion, is gearing up to defend her title on December 14 in Liverpool against unbeaten challenger Bexcy Mateus.

The fight promises to be a crucial step toward a unification bout with Jonas, who is headlining the same card in her IBF and WBC title clash against Ivana Habazin.

Price is focused on the task at hand but remains confident about her trajectory.

“Them big fights are coming in 2025, definitely,” said Price.

“I’m not looking past this girl. I’ve had a great camp. I’ve been in camp for a long time and all I do is look to put on a show, then move on to bigger and better.”

FULL BOXXER LIVERPOOL CARD

1️⃣ Natasha Jonas Ivana Habazin

2️⃣ Lauren Price Bexcy Mateus

3️⃣ Stephen McKenna Lee Cutler

4️⃣ Mark Jeffers Elvis Ahorgah

5️⃣ Viddal Riley Steve Eloundou Ntere

6️⃣ Mikie Tallon Benn Norman

7️⃣ Frankie Stringer, Mason Cartwright pic.twitter.com/zfP4eh39An

— EverythingBoxing (@EverythingBoxi2) December 9, 2024

Having claimed her title by defeating former undisputed champion Jessica McCaskill, Price has proven her ability to excel against elite competition despite being only seven fights into her professional career.

“People doubted me on that. They said it was too soon for her. But I dealt with that and she was one of the best in the division,” she reflected.

The prospect of a Price-Jonas fight has been brewing since Price turned professional in 2022.

Both fighters have expressed mutual respect but acknowledge the stakes.

Yet Price considers Jonas an essential step in her mission to dominate the welterweight division.

“If you call yourself a world champion, you’re a world champion, then you should fight anyone,” she said.

Jonas, who has already made waves as a champion, also recognises the significance of this potential clash.

“It’s massive, it’s a massive fight for the British public,” she said.

“If it was down to me, I’d be fighting her now, but the politics of boxing and other things [meant that was not possible].”

‘I believe I’ll beat Lauren’

Natasha Jonas & Lauren Price reflect on a possible bout in 2025 pic.twitter.com/1CcfQO8EB3

— Sky Sports Boxing (@SkySportsBoxing) December 10, 2024

Price’s belief in her abilities remains unwavering as she looks to unify the division.

“I want other belts and want to become undisputed. It’s a business, and if she’s got titles I want, then I want that fight,” she said.

With her unblemished record and Olympic gold medal pedigree, Price is determined to make 2025 a defining year in her career.

While Jonas remains a key target, Price has her sights set on an even broader legacy, including potential matchups with other champions like Mikaela Mayer.

“I like Mayer a lot and to be honest, out of the whole division, I think she’s the best [of them]. That’s a fight that can definitely happen as well,” she added.

Both fighters must first get through their respective bouts this weekend, with Price emphasising the importance of staying disciplined against Mateus.

“Game. Raw. Wild. Tough,” she said of her opponent.

“You’ve just got to stay disciplined, staying composed, round by round winning and getting the job done.”

Lauren Price Vows To Prove She Is World’s No.1 With First Title Defence

If all goes according to plan, a unification clash with Jonas could headline a monumental year for women’s boxing in 2025.

But Price’s vision remains clear:

“I’ve still got things I want to tick off. I want to create a legacy. I want to box in Wales again, I want to become undisputed champion, I want to be a multi-weight world champion.

“I suppose I’ve just got to be patient. In time, those big fights will come.”