Lauren Price relishing prize of ‘massive fight’ versus Natasha Jonas - sports news foot

Wales’ first female world champion boxer Lauren Price says a potential unification showdown with Natasha Jonas would be a “massive, massive fight”.

Price, 30, makes the first defence of her world WBA welterweight title on Saturday night in Liverpool against challenger Bexcy Mateus.

On the eve of the bout, Price said: “I’ve just got to stick to my boxing, stick to my skill, stick to my speed and I believe I come out on top. I take every fight seriously. Turning over as Olympic champion, I’ve had pressure on me from day one.

“With pressure comes diamonds, right? Saturday night’s no different. It’s my first defence. I believe I’m going to shine under the lights, put on a show and get that win.”

Should Price win, she is being lined up to face the winner of the headline bout of the evening as champion Natasha Jonas meets Ivana Habazin for the IBF and WBC welterweight titles.

A showdown fight between Price and Jonas has been discussed since Price turned professional in 2022 and the Welsh woman, who won Olympic gold in 2021, says she is expecting 2025 to be a seminal year in her career.

“I’m excited. It has been a long time coming, I would have liked to have been more active this year but the main thing is that I’m finishing the year on a high. I’m going to put a clean performance on and then the big fights come next year,” she told BBC Sport.