Jessica McCaskill to defend title vs. Lauren Price on May 11،
Jessica McCaskill will travel to Cardiff, Wales, to defend her WBA welterweight title against Lauren Price on May 11, promoter Boxxer announced Wednesday. The fight at Utilita Arena will be broadcast live on Peacock in the United States.
McCaskill (12-3-1, 5 KOs), of Chicago, is a two-division champion. She won the WBC junior welterweight belt by defeating Erica Anabella Farias in 2018, then added the WBA title with a decision victory over Anahi Sanchez in May 2019. A year later, she became undisputed welterweight champion in defeating Cecilia Braekhus and made three successful defenses. McCaskill moved up in weight in 2022 to challenge undisputed junior welterweight champion Chantelle Cameron and lost by unanimous decision. In her most recent fight in September, McCaskill fought to a draw against Sandy Ryan.
“I don’t know much about Price, but when it comes to British fighters, you usually expect a lot of backpedaling and holding back,” McCaskill said in a press release. “I don't know if that will be the case, but coming to Wales means that Price will hopefully want to put on a good show. That's exactly what I want because I intend to put on a good show. same. I'm here to steal everything from her fans. I'll show her what it takes to be a champion and the belts will come back to America with me.
Price (6-0, 1 KO), who grew up in Newport, a few miles from Cardiff, is the first Welsh boxer to win an Olympic medal. She turned professional in June 2022 and fought four times last year, including a decision victory over former title challenger Silvia Bortot in December. Price, who has not fought in Wales since her boxing debut, is happy to be fighting in front of friends and family, but knows she is the challenger of a great champion.
“It will be an incredible night for sure, beating the reigning champions in Wales and retaining the world titles here will be a feeling,” Price said. “Jessica McCaskill is the current champion. She is fit, experienced and strong but I will be 100% ready for whatever she brings tonight. I believe in my abilities. I support myself and like I said more early, I can't wait to bring those world titles back to Wales.”
The winner of the fight will be able to unify the titles with IBF champion Natasha Jonas, also promoted by Boxxer. Sandy Ryan holds the WBO title in the division.
