Olympic gold medalist Lauren Price has said that she is in a good place physically and mentally despite the added pressure of competing for a world title for the first time on May 11.
Price (6-0, 1 KO), who has taken to the professional ranks impressively, will face Jessica McCaskill (12-3-1, 5 KOs) for the WBA world welterweight title and headline her own promotion for the first time in Cardiff, Wales, in an event that also serves as her Welsh homecoming.
Despite the growing pressures and expectations of life as a professional, Price, a former Olympian, is excited to bring a big show back to Wales and hopes that, if she is successful against McCaskill, more major boxing events will begin popping up in her homeland.
“It’s great to bring big-time boxing to Wales,” Price told BBC Wales. “There’s a buzz around it, and I’m hoping it stays in Wales. I win this fight, and in the future, there’s even more big nights ahead with maybe bigger stadiums and bigger cards.
“I suppose there’s a different element to it because of the size of the fight, but it’s more exciting than anything else because this is what I wanted since I turned pro – with three titles on the line and boxing in front of my fans.”
Price, who trains at the English Institute of Sport under the guidance of Rob McCraken, has been sparring with former undisputed junior welterweight titleholder Chantelle Cameron (18-1, 8 KOs), who now trains in Sheffield, England, under Grant Smith at the Steel City Gym.
Cameron fought and defeated McCaskill in November 2022 in the UAE, claiming the undisputed 140-pound title. Price hopes to get an idea of what to expect against the American by sparring with Cameron.
“We got some good rounds in,” Price said about her sessions with Cameron. “Camp is going really well, and I’m in a good place mentally and physically.
“I always train hard, but this is a big one – a world title and the first fight at home – so it’s about staying calm and composed, listening to [coach] Rob McCracken and working on the game plan.”
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