‘I Believe In Myself’: Lauren Price Ready for Jessica McCaskill Test

Lauren Price (6-0, 1 KO) will collide with Jessica McCaskill (12-3-1, 5 KOs) on May 11 at the Cardiff International Arena for the unified WBA, IBO and Ring Magazine welterweight titles. Both fighters have met at a press conference for this fight, with Price and McCaskill both feeling confident.

Lauren Price and Jessica McCaskill Meet at Press Conference

Lauren Price vs. Jessica McCaskill

Price is a decorated amateur and gold medallist from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics who has amassed a perfect record, winning all six bouts. McCaskill will be the biggest test of the Welsh fighter’s career – having won world titles and shared a ring with Katie Taylor and Chantelle Cameron. 

The Welsh fighter spoke about her professional journey so far: “When I first turned professional, I turned as Olympic champion and everyone expected me to move fast. Six fights and when you look at those six fights I feel like I’ve enjoyed myself in there but I haven’t really been tested,” said Price.

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“I haven’t really got out of first gear. I’ve won every round quite comfortably so for me now it’s going to be my seventh professional fight but I want to be involved in these big fights.

Speaking on her opponent: “I’ve got complete respect for Jess McCaskill, she’s a legit champion. It’s not as if I’m going in there boxing for a vacant title. She’s been there, worn the t-shirt and I’ve got total respect for that. I know it’s my toughest test to date but I believe in myself.”

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Price spoke positively about Welsh boxing and who she wants to emulate:  “For me to follow in the footsteps of Joe Calzaghe, he’s a complete legend and that’s what I want to do, I want to become a Welsh legend. I want to bring big nights back to Wales and it’s a little bit of added pressure because you’re coming out in front of your own fans which is something I have yet to experience but I’ve had pressure my entire career.

“I’ve dealt with pressure and I’m sure I’ll come through with flying colours when I come out in front of my own fans and soaking it all up. I haven’t boxed at home in about 10 years so it’s going to mean the world to me.”

Watch the launch press conference here:

Jessica McCaskill

Speaking on the upcoming fight, “CasKILLA” said:  “I don’t think there’s an appreciation for the boxing that I do or the more thought out things that we do in the ring. I think they’re overlooked because people are looking for those big right hands or things like that.

“I do feel like I get put into this bracket of brawling, which I love. I hate boxing, I love brawling. It’s just what I’ve done for so long.

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“Every fighter has the opportunity to make that happen and I feel like I’m going to look for those opportunities.

“It’s up to the judges to be fair, it’s up to the referee to be fair, it’s not fair when you go into the locker room and say ‘I expect this’ but when you get into the fight the opposite fighter is doing those exact things, so you expect everyone to play their role and not get caught up.”