After sharing a card this past weekend, welterweight titlists Natasha Jonas and Lauren Price will meet in a three-belt unification atop a March 7th “all-women’s card” at Kensington’s Royal Albert Hall.
Jonas (16-2-1, 9 KO) is 3-0 since moving down from 154, stopping Kandi Wyatt for the IBF belt and controversially edging out Mikaela Mayer in her first defense before dominating WBC champ Ivana Habazin. Fellow Olympian Price (8-0, 2 KO) who won gold in Tokyo, swept WBA champ Jessica McCaskill in May ahead of last Saturday’s violent finish of Bexcy Mateus.
The Jonas/Price/Mayer/Ryan power bloc is among the most interesting ongoing sagas in women’s boxing. Their two intramural meetings thus far have been excellent to watch and I don’t imagine this one will be any different. We’ll let you know when they reveal the undercard.
“It’s an honour to be headlining this incredible all-women’s event at such an iconic venue,” Jonas said. “It shows how far women’s boxing has come.
“Throughout my career, I have broken down barriers and achieved what people said I couldn’t, and there is still a lot more to come.
“Lauren Price has a lot of hype around her but I believe this fight is going to be a step too far for her. I’ve been in big fights, I’ve fought world champions and Olympic medallists, but she’s never faced anyone like me as a pro.”
“I’m excited to headline such a huge occasion,” said Price. “I have a lot of respect for Natasha Jonas and what she has achieved in the sport, but she has the belts that I want.
“When I turned professional after becoming Olympic champion, I wanted to create greatness. This fight, a big all-British unification clash, Wales vs England with five world titles on the line, will help cement my legacy and show that I am No 1 in the division.
“I believe I’m too young, too quick and too good for Natasha Jonas and I will be bringing the belts back home to Wales with me.”