On Saturday 11th May 2024, Lauren Price will have the chance to fulfill her dreams by becoming the unified WBA, IBO and Ring Magazine Welterweight Champion when she fights Jessica McCaskill at the Utilita Arena in Cardiff.

After a short pro career of six fights, Lauren Price will have the chance to be the first of the 2020 GB Olympic squad members to become a professional world champion.

Lauren is aiming to follow in the footsteps of James De Gale and Anthony Joshua in completing the double of winning an Olympic gold medal and a professional world championship belt.

Lauren won the gold medal in Tokyo in August 2021, and has since gone on to win six professional fights. One of those six fights was a first ever female British title fight, where Lauren beat Kirsty Bavington on points by unanimous decision.

‘When I first turned over as a professional, as olympic champion, everyone expected me to move quickly through the professional ranks.’ Lauren told the audience at the launch press conference for the McCaskill fight.

‘I haven’t been tested in the six fights I’ve had, I haven’t had to come out of first gear and I won most of the rounds quite comfortably. I want to be involved in big fights. Jessica McCaskill is a legitimate champion and I know that this is my toughest test to date.

‘I want to follow in the footsteps of Joe Calzaghe who is a complete legend. I want to become a Welsh legend and bring big nights back to Wales. There will be added pressure, boxing in front of my own fans, but I’ve had pressure throughout my whole career. I went into an olympic final with the hopes of a whole nation on my shoulders, expecting me to win gold.

‘To become the first female Welsh world champion will be special.’

The fight is being promoted by Boxxer. Lauren is one of five 2020 GB Olympians to fight under the Boxxer promotional banner. The other four being Ben Whittaker, Frazer Clarke, Caroline Dubois and Karriss Artingstall, who is also Lauren Price’s partner. Boxxer, itself relatively new to the boxing game, will be eager for Lauren to win the belt, to show the beginning of a return on investment on the Olympians.

Jessica McCaskill, on the other hand, will not be willing to hand over the belts that she’s held since beating Cecilia Braekhus by unanimous decision in March 2021.

The last two fights have not gone to plan for McCaskill. A fight for all the marbles at Super Lightweight saw McCaskill drop a unanimous decision to Chantelle Cameron.

In her last outing, McCaskill fought to a controversial draw with Sandy Ryan, with many believing that Ryan did more than enough to win.

McCaskill will want to get back on the winning streak, and feels that her under-rated boxing skills will help her. She said at the launch press conference:

‘I don’t think there’s an appreciation for the boxing that I do or the thought out things that I do in the ring.

‘I love brawling, but Rick (Ramos, McCaskill’s trainer) has brought more elements to my game that people don’t see.’

Time will tell if McCaskill can show this to be the case on Saturday, as this fight does seem to be the classic puncher vs boxer match up. McCaskill’s come forward, relentless style vs Lauren Price’s speed plus in and out footwork.

A former Welsh international footballer, Lauren Price decided to fully concentrate on boxing and kick football to the curb in 2014.  Ten years later, Price’s ultimate goal in boxing could be reached.