Natasha Jonas (16-2-1, 9 KO) takes on Lauren Price (8-0, 2 KO) for the unified IBF, IBO, WBC, WBA and Ring Magazine Welterweight world titles at the historic Royal Albert Hall on Friday night.
The winner will be on course for a undisputed contest against either WBO world champion Mikaela Mayer (20-2, 5 KO) or Sandy Ryan (7-2-1, 3 KO) with them set to rematch at the end of March following Mayer’s split decision win in their first contest.
The Boxxer promoted show will be the first boxing event at the famous London venue since Daniel Dubois headlined against Ebenezer Tetteh in 2019 and will be the first all-female card set in Britain since the 2018 show headlined by Savannah Marshall (13-1) and Claressa Shields (16-0).
Natasha Jonas v Lauren Price
Jonas is looking to extend her seven-fight winning streak with her last defeat coming against boxing great Katie Taylor in their 2019 lightweight world title unification bout at the Manchester Arena.
Price is currently unbeaten as a professional with eight victories and is yet to drop a round since turning over, earning her first world title by defeating American Jessica McCaskill in Cardiff.
There is respect between both champions, but tensions have risen between the pair as fight night edges closer with verbal jabs in the lead up to their meeting on the eve of International Women’s Day.
Both competed on the same card back in December where Price defended her IBO, WBA and Ring Magazine titles with a third-round stoppage against previously unbeaten Bexcy Mateus (8-1, 7KO).
Jonas unified the IBO and WBC world titles with a unanimous decision victory against Croatian Ivana Habazin (23-6, 7 KO) in her hometown of Liverpool.
Despite the added experience, 40-year-old Jonas comes into the bout as the underdog but is confident of halting rising-star Price believing she’s already surpassed tougher tests in her career.
“With respect if I beat Lauren, she’s still not the best name on my card, the other way round I think I’m the best name on her card,” said the two weight world champion.
30-year-old Price has no doubt in her ability believing she will showcase why she is the best fighter at 147lb.
“There’s only going to be one winner March the seventh and that’s going to be me, I’m younger, I’m too good, I’m too quick and I’ll prove that” stated the Olympic gold medallist.
The undercard
Caroline Dubois (10-0-1, 5 KO) returns to action following a frustrating technical draw against Jessica Camara (14-4-1, 3 KO) in January. ‘Sweet Caroline’ looks to defend her WBC world lightweight title against South Korean Bo Mi Re Shin (18-2-3, 10 KO).
Karriss Artingstall (6-0, 1 KO) looks to extend her unbeaten record in a clash against Raven Chapman (9-1, 2 KO) who is coming off the back of a defeat to WBC world featherweight champion Skye Nicolson (12-0, 1 KO) in Saudi Arabia.
The bout is scheduled for the vacant British featherweight title, giving Artingstall the first opportunity to win a professional accolade.
Merseyside fighter Chloe Watson (8-0, 0 KO) looks to defend her EBU European flyweight title against Jasmina Zapotoczna (8-1, 0 KO). The Polish fighter is aiming to halt another unbeaten record having defeated Maisey Rose Courtney (8-1, 0 KO) in her last bout.
2024 Olympic bronze medallist Cindy Ngamba makes her pro debut in impressive fashion taking on EBU European welterweight champion Kirstie Bavington (9-5-2, 2 KO) over eight rounds.
Young prospect Francesca Hennessey (5-0, 1 KO) will open the card taking on Carla Camilla Campos Gonzales (7-3, 6 KO) continuing her pursuit of becoming the youngest ever female world champion.
Writers prediction
In what will be a fantastic night not only for female boxing but British boxing history, this in many ways feels like a real passing of the torch moment.
Two fighters who have shared a very similar trajectory, not just with life in the ring but before it, starting in football before picking up the gloves and achieving their dreams of representing the nation at the Olympic Games.
Jonas is a pioneer in British boxing, becoming the first female to compete at the games and through a career of ups and downs has achieved remarkable success both inside and out of the ring.
The Toxteth born fighter will be confident that her experience in the pro ranks coupled with the fact that Price is yet to face adversity in her career can help her in dragging her opponent into deep waters.
Will timing beat speed is the question that will need to be answered as the two southpaws go head to head on Friday night.
Price is a special talent who herself is looking to prove why she should be considered the best in the division in her quest to achieve undisputed glory.
This may well be the first time that the Welsh champion drops rounds in her professional career as she looks to navigate her toughest test do date but will have full belief in being too quick for her target.
Prediction: Lauren Price KO/TKO.
