What’s Next For Lauren Price?
Lauren Price defeated Natasha Jonas to pick up the latter’s WBC and IBF Welterweight Belts as we look at her next steps.
Price arrived into the fight as the IBO, WBA and Ring Magazine Welterweight Champion. The win made her 9-0, as she gave Jonas the second defeat of her career. Price entered the fight as the bigger fighter, as she could easily make above 147. But she had the downside of having had far less experience than Jones in the pro ranks. Natasha also had unified at 147 and 154 pounds, meaning she had more achievements on her resume. But Jonas was at the latter end of her career, at the age of 40, with Price being 30, as the physicality ultimately allowed Price to exert her game plan.
Price’s Options
Price could chase a rematch with Jonas next since the latter will want to put things right. Jonas had only suffered one other loss, which came at the hands of Katie Taylor. Taylor later became undisputed at lightweight and junior welterweight, making her one of the best female boxers of all time. Price also knows what it takes to get in the ring with Natasha, giving her more confidence that she can repeat the feat the second time around. If she also delays the fight, there is also an opportunity that Jonas simply adds more wear and tear to her body as she is at the latter end of her career. But Jonas hinted she could retire.
“I think emotions are running high right now. And [trainer Joe Gallagher] has been asking me to retire for a very long time. And I actually enjoy sitting next to you Andy, and [Sky Sports commentators] Anna [Smith] and Johnny [Nelson] and commentating on everyone else’s performances, so maybe we will have that afterwards,” Jonas
Undisputed Shot
The more realistic prospect is to face Mikaela Mayer. Mayer holds the WBO Welterweight Title as she rematches Sandy Ryan in her next bout. A win over Mayer makes Price the undisputed champion at 147, as she will go down in history as one of Britain’s best fighters. Price had been accused of ducking the Mayer fight, something which Lauren denied. She made it clear that her team had reached out to Mayer, who allegedly did not want to take the fight. Jonas has already been Mayer, and given that Price did the same to Natasha, she will fancy her chances of cleaning up all the belts.
Alternatively, Price could also explore options at 154 pounds. She has a frame that is big enough to add on the additional weight. Price also has an extensive amateur background and is an Olympic gold medalist, meaning she has faced all forms of styles. It also allows her the opportunity to become a two-weight champion, something which Natasha Jonas has already achieved. Either way, she has plenty to think about moving forward.
“I honestly believe I can become undisputed. I want to go on. [And] I want to create a lasting legacy. I want to follow in the footsteps of Katie Taylor. It started with [beating Jessica] McCaskill and now Jonas. So the winner of Mayer and Sandy I’d like next,” Price
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