Lauren Price: Welsh fighter sets sights on boxing 'greatness'

Lauren Price (right) is a former Wales football international

Lauren Price aims to "create greatness" and secure her legacy after sealing the chance of a world-title fight and a Wales homecoming.

The Olympic champion, 29, will face two-weight world champion Jessica McCaskill in Cardiff on 11 May, for the WBA and Ring welterweight belts.

Price has two major goals after ending her amateur days following Tokyo glory.

"I had two things on my list when I turned pro: I wanted to box in Wales and be a world champion," she said.

"And I truly believe I can go all the way and create greatness, become a Welsh legend and bring big nights back to Cardiff."

Nights, Price says, like the ones savoured when Joe Calzaghe was in his undisputed pomp as the super-middleweight king.

"A complete legend," she says of the hall-of-famer.

"But that's what I want to do, to follow in his footsteps. I haven't fought at home for about 10 years so it's going to mean the world to me."

It will also mean, she accepts, training harder than ever under the watchful eye of Rob McCracken, who has previously stood in the corners of world champions Anthony Joshua and Carl Froch.

And for good reason with McCaskill easily her toughest challenge. A "legit champion" as Price describes her.

The Chicago native travelled to Wales to announce the fight not only with her two belts, but a wealth of experience with more title fights than Price's six professional bouts and having previously unified the super-lightweight division before moving up.

The 39-year-old is a fan of Price, saying women's boxing "needs people like Lauren, not being afraid to take on a challenge, not waiting around for someone to get old" and that the fight reminds her of stepping into the ring with Irish icon Katie Taylor earlier in her career.

"It catapulted my career," McCaskill said of the 2017 defeat. "This fight could do the same for Lauren.

"I have high expectations of her and I think she's doing amazing things and will do really well - just not well enough to beat me."

Price claimed other champions "didn't want to know" about a potential fight that promoter Ben Shalom says will be a risk for Price so soon into her professional career, but one worth taking.

"After six fights where she's not lost a round on the scorecards you're thinking 'she's just levels above' and that she needs a real test - and then this came up," said Shalom, who confirmed there will be a plethora of Welsh talent on the May card.

"That's when you think 'now we have the opportunity to go to Cardiff'.

"That's what Lauren wanted; she wants to build her name, to build her legacy. Look at what Katie Taylor has done in Ireland and Natasha Jonas in Liverpool - to do that in Wales has been Lauren's dream from the start.

"People say it's too early, she hasn't been at this level before, but when you've broken records throughout your career like Lauren has you take those risks.

"Her talent is unquestionable, so can this be the start of many famous nights? I think we have a Welsh and British boxing legend in the making."

Ystrad Mynach's Price, who had long been keen for a "homecoming" fight, added: "I know there's added pressure coming out in front of my own fans, but I've had pressure throughout my career.

"Going into an Olympic final with the whole nation on my shoulders and you're expected to win gold - but I dealt with it.

"I've made history a few times in my career, but to fight for a world title in front of my own fans will be special.

"I know this is my toughest test and I'm sure I will come through it."

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