Welterweight world champion Lauren Price shrugged off a nasty oral injury to edge out Stephanie Piñeiro by unanimous decision and set up a potential fight with women’s boxing’s biggest star: Claressa Shields.

Price (10-0, 2 KO), 31, who is getting married on May 30, had to deal with a horribly cut gum for half the fight, leaving her mouth open and blood gushing out. The Welsh boxer also suffered a cut to her right eye in the later rounds, but she didn’t let her injuries bother her and won the boxing with a well-deserved decision of 98-92, 98-92 and 99-91.

The results looked a bit challenging for Piñeiro, who marched forward, looking to land right hands in an all-southpaw clash.

Price, who won an Olympic gold medal in 2021, defended her WBC, WBA and IBF belts against Pineiro (10-1, 3 KO) by a comfortable margin, but injuries made it a challenging third defense in front of home fans at Utilita Arena Cardiff in Wales.

“I hit my head and immediately felt my lip come off, but I dug in deep, it was a good experience for me, I got stuck in there and I had a great turn to get me through it,” Price told the BBC.

“It’s a fight I had to fight to keep the belts and the recognition for my opponent because it tested me. I was moving my legs, getting in and out and using my boxing.”

Price then faced American Shields (18-0, 3 KO), the No. 1 women’s pound-for-pound, who said they would have to meet at 160 pounds (middleweight).

“I want this fight and I don’t want to wait forever,” Price said.

“I want to fight the best and I want to recognize Shields for being one of the best in the world. We all need a dance partner and I support myself.”

Price would have to move up two weight classes to face Shields, who is the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world and has won world titles in an extraordinary five weight classes.

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“If you want to get to 160 pounds, we can make it happen,” Shields told the BBC.

“If she’s the best in the world, all GWOAT does is fight her best, and I’m ready to fight her and dominate her like I do everyone else.

“I feel like my fight with Lauren is one of the biggest fights in women’s boxing.

“I don’t think we’ve ever seen a two-time Olympic gold medalist versus a one-time Olympic gold medalist in women’s boxing. We’re both 31 years elderly, undefeated and very hungry. If Lauren thinks she’s ready, I’ll absolutely give her a chance and show everyone that I’m not to be trifled with.”

Price, who is training in Sheffield during the week, landed a pinpoint left hand in the first round, but Piñeiro also had a few shots of her own during a competitive start.

Price boxed and moved more in the second round, but the 35-year-old Piñeiro was able to track down her southpaw colleague and land a few punches in the third round.

Price landed a good combination to finish the third game, and in the fourth he responded by being caught early and landed some solid right hooks.

But Piñeiro’s right hands left a mark and Price ended round 5 with blood pouring from her mouth.

The Puerto Rican was aroused by the sight of blood in round 6. Price tried to keep her distance as Piñeiro followed her around the ring, looking to land her massive right hands.

Price continued to land a series of rapid punches despite a mouth injury and a cut to her left eye suffered in Round 7.

Blood dripped from the wounds. Price continued to look great in the ninth, her fluid footwork allowing her to land quick punches before moving out of range.

Both landed challenging punches early in the final round, but Piñeiro was unable to land the pristine punches needed to pull off the upset.

Price also recently told ESPN that she has been offered the chance to fight Irishwoman Katie Taylor (25-1, 6 KO), 39, this summer in Dublin.

American Shields, Mikaela Mayer (22-2, 5 KO), 35, who holds the WBO welterweight world title, is another potential future opponent of Price in the fight to determine the undisputed welterweight champion.

However, the fight against Shields is gaining momentum later this year, especially as the American enters the ring to talk about the fight following Price’s victory.