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

By David Williams

Lauren Price is set to defend her WBA welterweight world championship for the first time, facing Bexcy Mateus on December 14 in a fight that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.

The event’s main attraction features Natasha Jonas unifying the IBF and WBC welterweight belts against Ivana Habazin.

Should both Wales star Price and Jonas secure victories in their respective bouts, it could pave the way for a blockbuster all-British unification fight in 2025.

Earlier in the year, Price claimed the WBA crown by defeating former undisputed champion Jessica McCaskill.

Price, who won Olympic gold in 2021, delivered an almost flawless performance to dethrone McCaskill in front of her home crowd in Cardiff last May.

Lauren Price will defend her WBA world title against Bexcy Mateus on December 14, live on Sky Sports

The stacked Liverpool bill, topped by Natasha Jonas’ unification battle against Ivana Habazin, also features Viddal Riley, Mark Jeffers, and Stephen McKenna vs Lee Cutler

— Sky Sports Boxing (@SkySportsBoxing) November 19, 2024

As the first Welsh athlete to win an Olympic gold medal in boxing, Price etched her name into history once more by becoming Wales’ first female world champion, achieving the feat in only her seventh professional bout.

The 30-year-old Ystrad Mynach native has yet to concede a single round in her professional career. She is now focused on successfully defending her title and ultimately dominating the welterweight division.

Her opponent, Mateus, is ranked No. 5 by the WBA and is unbeaten in her professional career, having secured knockouts in all but one of her seven victories.

The 29-year-old from Bogotá will be stepping into the ring outside Colombia for the first time as she seeks to shock the reigning champion.

The WBA titleholder said: “I’m excited to be out defending my belts to finish what has been a big year for me. I have full respect for Mateus. I’ll prove I’m the best in the division and I won’t let anything, or anyone, stand in my way of becoming undisputed.”

BOXXER Founder and CEO Ben Shalom commented: “It’s a huge night for the women’s welterweight division with three world champions in action. Natasha Jonas is back in her hometown for a must-win unification fight against Ivana Habazin and Lauren Price defends her world titles against unbeaten contender Bexcy Mateus. The battle for undisputed is on.

“If Natasha and Lauren both win on December 14, it will set the stage for a massive ‘Battle Of Britain’ world title unification match up next year.”

The undercard promises plenty of action. Ireland’s undefeated Stephen McKenna is set to face English champion Lee Cutler in a thrilling super-welterweight contest.

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

McKenna thrilled fans in August at Oakwell Stadium in Barnsley with a dramatic three-round battle against Joe Laws. Both fighters were knocked down in the opening round before McKenna took control, sending Laws to the canvas three more times to secure a stoppage victory and maintain his unblemished record.

English cruiserweight champion Viddal Riley makes his return after an injury layoff, following his career-best win against Mikael Lawal in March. Riley will look to shake off any ring rust as he prepares for high-profile clashes in the coming year.

Chorley’s undefeated super-middleweight Mark Jeffers will aim to add another explosive win to his resume after his fifth-round knockout of Darren Johnstone in May, as he chases his 19th professional victory.

Super-welterweight Mason Cartwright, a two-time British title challenger from Ellesmere Port, will count on strong local support as he looks to reignite his title ambitions.