Jessica McCaskill will defend her WBA welterweight title against Lauren Price on May 11 in Cardiff, with Price seeking to become Wales’ first professional world boxing champion.
The fight will air on Peacock in the U.S. and Sky Sports in the U.K. McCaskilla’s Ring Magazine championship is also on the line.
It was previously reported that McCaskill would travel to Croatia to defend her WBC and WBA titles against Ivana Habazin on April 20, but that is obviously not happening now as it was certainly a better cash offer. Matchroom Boxing recently took over promotional control of the fight, with upstart Piranha Promotions losing the rights after winning the bid.
Matchroom was the second highest bidder. Piranha offered $201,000 to Matchroom’s $91,000, meaning McCaskill wasn’t going to make much money from the Habazin fight at all, and significantly less than Matchroom’s offer.
The McCaskill vs. Price fight is a Boxxer card, and the fight announcement does not include the WBC title on the line, which likely means McCaskill has been or will be stripped of that belt for taking this fight instead of fighting Habazin.
From a boxing fan’s point of view, it’s a better and fresher fight, so it’s a win on our part.
Price, 29, is 6-0 (1 KO) since turning professional in June 2022 after winning middleweight gold for Team Great Britain at the Tokyo Olympics. She was also a gold medalist at the 2019 World Championships and the 2019 European Games, and has been a high-level amateur for around a decade.
She has boldly demonstrated her desire to become a world champion sooner rather than later as a professional and now she has the chance, which she is joyful will come in Cardiff.
“The fact that it’s happening in Cardiff is amazing. I haven’t boxed there since I started, which was a good few years ago,” said Price. “I can’t wait to perform in front of my friends, family and the Welsh fans who have been so supportive throughout my career. It’s sure to be an incredible night. To beat the current Welsh champion and retain my world titles here will be an incredible feeling!”
“Jessica McCaskill is the current champion. She’s vigorous, experienced and mighty but I’ll be 100% ready for whatever tonight brings. I believe in my ability. I’m backing myself and as I said before I can’t wait to bring those championship titles back to Wales and hopefully that will lead to more massive nights in Wales again in the near future.”
The 39-year-old McCaskill (12-3-1, 5 KOs) is one of boxing’s most enduring competitors, but many felt like she caught up in her last fight, in which she suffered a controversial draw in her unification bout with Sandy Ryan.
McCaskill, a former undisputed champion at 147 who lost that recognition when she dropped to 140 to challenge and lose to Chantelle Cameron in 2022, McCaskill is known for her aggressive fighting style and she took the opportunity to challenge the stereotype of British fighting style.
“I don’t know much about Price, but when it comes to fighters from the UK, you usually expect a lot of backing up and holding on,” she said. “I don’t know if that’s going to happen, but coming to Wales means Price is going to want to put on a good show. That’s what I want because I’m going to do the same thing. I’m here to steal all her fans. I’m going to show her what it takes to be champion and the belts are going to come back to America with me.”
Interviews2 months ago
Video2 months ago
Analysis2 months ago
Video2 months ago
UK Boxing2 months ago
MMA2 months ago
Results2 months ago
MMA2 months ago