JUST six fights into her fledgling professional career, Wales’ Lauren Price has already managed to secure a shot at a version of the world welterweight title.
It was confirmed this afternoon (March 12) by promoters Boxxer that Price will fight for the WBA, IBO and The Ring magazine belts against American Jessica McCaskill at a location and on a date still to be announced. Those details will be revealed at one o’clock tomorrow afternoon when Price and McCaskill are expected to meet at a press conference.
Today, though, McCaskill, speaking on Sky Sports, had this to say about Price: “Its definitely a step up; amateur is amateur, pro is pro. Sometimes they don’t really cross lines. I feel like I was kind of in the same position, where I had almost no amateur fights compared to some of these fighters now and people didn’t think I was ready. You have seen where my career has gone. Multiple world titles. What is this, like 10 title fights back-to-back-to-back? This is her opportunity to shut everybody up and put on a good show.”
McCaskill, 12-3-1 (5), has competed professionally since 2015 and has won world titles at both super-lightweight and welterweight, the division in which she currently competes. In fact, it is at welterweight McCaskill has had most of her success, including two notable wins against Cecilia Braekhus.
In 2022, McCaskill went back to super-lightweight, where she lost a one-sided fight against Chantelle Cameron, but this defeat was then followed by a return to welterweight to fight Sandy Ryan in September. That fight ended in a draw after 10 rounds, with McCaskill retaining her various belts as a result.
Price, meanwhile, has been matched well since turning pro in June 2022 but has of course yet to fight any real noteworthy names or opponents expected to give her a tough test. It is for this reason a fight against McCaskill, regardless of the American’s recent patchy form, has to be considered a sizeable step up in class.
