Welsh professional boxer Lauren Price (right) will face undisputed world champion Jessica McCaskill. (left)
Almost three years after winning gold at the Tokyo Olympics, Welsh professional boxer Lauren Price has set her sights on undisputed world champion Jessica McCaskill, competing for the WBA, IBO and Ring Magazine welterweight titles. Ta.
Playing against what she calls a “great opponent” in Cardiff is a dream come true for Price. And she told Pink News that she is well prepared for her challenge.
The fight between Price and MacAskill will take place on May 11th at the Utilita Arena, but Price, who is “very proud to be Welsh”, said fighting on her home soil for about 10 years has been her “main event”. “It was a dream,” he says.
“I'm going to take the Welsh army to the back and that's what I've always dreamed of going out and having my own crowd.”
But she recognizes that just because she's facing a “legitimate champion” doesn't mean she'll “take the easy way out and fight for an open belt.” American McCaskill holds the WBA and WBC welterweight titles.
“She's a very polite girl,” Price says. “I respect her and what she's done for women's boxing. She's a great opponent. But when the bell rings on May 11th, that respect goes out the window. , we will fight [for those] belt. ”
The bout will be a big night for boxing, giving Price the chance to become the first female world champion from Wales. But her opponents are hoping to bring the local crowd firmly back down to earth.
McCaskill, a Chicago native, said, “I came here to steal all of her fans. I'm going to show her what it takes to be a champion, and then I'll take the belt and go to America.'' He will come back.”
Price, who is a lesbian, said of being part of the LGBTQ+ community: I believe that everyone should be accepted, regardless of sexuality or race.
“I don't accept anyone's opinion. You are you and there are different people in the world. I don't necessarily have to be friends with people, but I don't have to be terrible towards others. I believe [them]”
Price has been open about his coming out experience, speaking about it in a Sky Sports documentary. Lucky guy, She said she feels “very lucky.”
Speaking to Outsports, she said: “I was on the football team, and even though I was younger, I was playing in an older age group, and a lot of my friends had already started playing football, so I knew I had support. I felt that way.'' But I understand that not everyone has that experience. ”
A Stonewall survey published last year revealed that Britons are increasingly accepting of LGBTQ+ people in their sporting communities.
Price recalls that there was much support for his participation at the Tokyo Olympics, where he became the first Welsh boxer to win an Olympic gold medal, defeating China's Li Qian in the final.
“The Olympics are the pinnacle of sports and have been my dream since I was eight years old,” she says.
Price, who was named MBE in the 2022 New Year Honors List after the title fight scheduled for May, will have dinner with his grandmother, partner and fellow boxer Caris Artingstall on Sunday.
In 2022, Price and Artingstall, who are also sparring partners, spoke to Pink News about their grueling training sessions before fighting on the same card.
Lauren Price will challenge Jessica McCaskill for the unified WBA, IBO and Ring Magazine world titles on Saturday, May 11th at the Utilita Arena in Cardiff.Tickets are currently available from boxer.com.
