When Lauren Price defeated Jessica McCaskill in Cardiff on Saturday night to become Wales’ first women’s boxing world champion, she once again cemented her illustrious and ever-expanding legend.
With his long-awaited return to Wales, the former taxi driver turned Olympic champion and now unified IBO, WBA and Ring Magazine welterweight world champion delivered another commanding performance.
MacAskill appeared to suffer severe swelling to his eye from the earlier clash of heads, and the bout was stopped at the start of the ninth round, with the judges ruling the fight 90-82, 90-82, 90-82. Courtesy of Price.
Throughout Price’s career, her grandmother Linda would tape her matches and watch them back the next day. On Sunday, she will watch as the girl she grew up in Ystrad Mainach, Caerphilly, continues her journey to the top of the sport by dominating a former undisputed champion.
“I’m speechless. Coming here tonight, I’m sure the atmosphere will be high with winning Olympic gold,” Price said. sky sports After the battle.
“I can’t thank everyone enough. It means the world. It’s a credit to my opponent and I respect her. She’s a credit to women’s boxing and boxing in general.
“I want to build a tradition and create greatness. This is just the beginning. As you have seen Katie Taylor do for Ireland, I want to do the same for Wales.”
“My dream is to fill Principality Stadium.”
The match was called off due to swelling around MacAskill’s eye.
Was she ready? There was no question. Despite MacAskill’s attempts to disrupt her rhythm, Price reigned as the more skilled and more dangerous operator during the fight.
The tone was set even before the bell rang, with McCaskill starting off like a sprinter in the corner and launching himself into the center of the ring for the opening round.
From there, there was little relaxation, with MacAskill trying to make things awkward on the inside and Price maintaining a pleasing finesse with his left jab.
Price expected a scuffle and was ready to trade aggressively inside to the body before using his hand speed to land two-punch combinations until the pair broke.
Price won the contest in front of his home crowd in Cardiff.
Booing immediately erupted around Utilita Arena when MacAskill forced Price into the ropes not once, not twice, but three times, the latter nearly leading to both men being ejected in Royal Rumble fashion.
“I know Jessica’s game. She loves dogfighting. She came at me from round one and took a few rounds to distance herself, but eventually found her rhythm. ,” Price said.
“Being a professional is different than being an amateur, but I had fun there and I’m going to get better. This is only my seventh professional fight.”
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Lauren Price told Sky Sports that her dream now is to compete in front of a packed Principality Stadium in Cardiff.
Price resisted the temptation to be drawn in and continued to rely on his skill and precision to see through rough tactics.
Her footwork was smarter and sharper, and she was able to use ill-timed lunges to throw McCaskill off balance and land a right hook.
MacAskill started foaming over her eyes midway through the match after an unfortunate clash of heads, but the American vowed to continue fighting with unwavering aggression while emphasizing her toughness. Ta.
It was eventually revealed that the extent of the damage meant doctors recommended the fight be called off two seconds into the ninth inning, prompting cheers from the Welsh crowd as they crowned the latest boxing superstar.
McCaskill frustrated by game stoppage
MacAskill vacated the title, feeling that although he lost and was on the back foot, he should have been allowed to continue fighting to attempt an unlikely thwart.
“I think we should let the champion go on the shield,” she said. sky sports.
“You gave me four minutes and let me go all the way, not just for me, but because that’s what boxing deserves.
“They let me do all 10 rounds, but if it’s Lauren, it’s Lauren, and if it’s not Lauren, it’s different.
“Lauren is the only one who could take the belt from me, I congratulate her, she has a bright future.
“I’m so proud of her and what she does.”
Nelson ‘baffled’ by MacAskill’s approach
Price has yet to lose a round in his professional career.
Price made history in his seventh pro fight, but sky sportsJohnny Nelson was surprised by his easy victory over an experienced opponent.
“What puzzled me was that McCaskill didn’t throw a single jab,” he said.
“How did you manage to be so successful in a fight like that? There’s a difference between being unconventional and being awkward.
“Being unconventional is a technique. She was just trying to be awkward and awkward to put you in an awkward situation.
“Lauren stuck to the basics…and from the time she turned pro to now, she hasn’t lost a round and is a world champion. That’s some kind of accomplishment!”
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