Wales’ unified world welterweight champion Lauren Price has confirmed that she will make her next title defence in her hometown of Cardiff, turning down a return to London’s Royal Albert Hall to fight on home soil. The 31-year-old fighter has been out of the ring for over a year since her last victory and is eager to return in front of her fans in Wales.
Price to Defend Her Titles in Cardiff
Price, who holds the WBC, IBF, and WBA welterweight belts, has not competed since her dominant points victory over Natasha Jonas at the Royal Albert Hall in London last March. Speaking at an event at Rodney Parade in Newport, Price announced her homecoming fight.
“I am coming back to Cardiff and fighting on 4 April at the Utilita Arena,” she said.
“It’s a massive fight and I am excited after being out of the ring through no fault of my own, just because of the politics of boxing that I had to deal with.”
The fight will mark a highly anticipated return for Price, who has been unbeaten in nine professional bouts and has rapidly become one of Wales’ most celebrated sporting figures.
A Champion’s Journey
Lauren Price’s first world title triumph came in Cardiff in May 2024, when she defeated Jessica McCaskill to claim her belts. Prior to turning professional, Price was already an accomplished athlete, winning gold at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and representing Wales in international football.
After her victory over Natasha Jonas, Price had expressed ambitions of becoming an undisputed champion by the end of the year. She witnessed Mikaela Mayer defend her WBO welterweight title against Sandy Ryan in Las Vegas, underscoring the global competition at the top of the division.
However, a combination of promotional and boxing politics delayed Price’s return to the ring, resulting in a 13-month gap between fights.
Training and Preparation
Price has now resumed full training and is determined to deliver a standout performance for her fans.
“I am back sparring and have had a great week of training. I am ready to crack on and put on a good show for my fans,” Price said.
“It’s all been signed off and I can finally move on with concentrating on training, leaving no stone unturned so that I am ready for 4 April.”
Her focus is clear: fight at home, support Welsh boxing talent, and build momentum toward bigger stadium shows.
Why Cardiff Matters
Price emphasized the importance of fighting in Wales, noting that her Welsh identity has been central to her success.
“In talks I got offered the Albert Hall again, it’s a fantastic venue, but I want to fight in Wales with Welsh up-and-coming talent on the card,” she explained.
“The dream is to sell out stadiums and follow the likes of Joe Calzaghe, and that starts by boxing at home.”
The venue for Price’s fight, the 7,500-capacity Utilita Arena, is expected to host one of the most significant boxing events in Wales this year. Although no official card announcement has been made yet, the British Boxing Board of Control has posted notice of a bout at the same venue on Saturday, 4 April, featuring Welshman Rhys Edwards against Birmingham’s Gulraj Powar for the vacant featherweight title.
The fight will be promoted by Ben Shalom, founder and CEO of Boxxer, the promotion company that also handles Price’s career.
Looking Ahead
Price’s homecoming fight will mark a turning point in her career, providing a platform to not only defend her titles but also to showcase Welsh boxing talent. Fans can expect an electric atmosphere as one of Wales’ finest athletes prepares to step back into the ring after a lengthy hiatus.
With her Olympic pedigree, Commonwealth gold, and professional dominance, Lauren Price continues to cement her legacy as one of the most prominent figures in women’s boxing today.
Leave a Reply