An all-female card filled the iconic Royal Albert Hall, and at the top of the bill, Lauren Price added the WBC and IBF super welterweight titles to her WBA and IBO straps with a masterclass points win against Natasha Jonas.
Jonas (16-3-1, 9 KOs) defended her WBC and IBF titles by widely outscoring Ivana Habazin in her hometown last December, and Olympic Gold medallist Price (9-0, 2 KOs) took a third-round stoppage of the overmatched Bexcy Mateus on the same bill to remain on a collision course with the Liverpudlian.
The two southpaws got down to business, with each trying to unload their power on one another, while also remaining cautious in the opener. Price landed with some crisp shots to open round two, with Jonas trying to find her powerful left hand without success.
Price was fighting in flurries, with Jonas patiently waiting to find gaps and openings, and round four saw Price land with a decent combination right on the bell.
Jonas was struggling to find her timing and range, as Price’s speed was proving a problem that she was unable to solve, and the Welshwoman was picking her punches well and landing frequently to the head of Jonas in the seventh.
It already seemed that Jonas needed something special in the championship rounds, but the pattern continued, although Jonas did finally find her left hand, but it was far too late as the fight went to the scorecards.
Price further unified by winning by scores of 100-90, 98-92 and 98-93.
Lauren Price becomes the unified WBC, IBF and WBA welterweight world champion! 💥
Just listen to that reaction 🔉 pic.twitter.com/MZY0vO5c6D
— Sky Sports Boxing (@SkySportsBoxing) March 7, 2025
Dubois survives a late scare
Caroline Dubois (11-0-1, KO5) appeared in the chief support slot, and made a second defence of her WBC lightweight title with a majority decision win against Bo Mi Re Shin (18-3-3, 10 KOs).
Shin started brightly, but Dubois swiftly found her range, turning the screw in round four with hurtful shots that troubled the South Korean. Dubois worked well to the body in the fifth, and she settled into a rhythm, but Shin kept her honest, and had her own successes.
Shin had a great end to the ninth round, and the final frame saw her pile the pressure on the tiring champion as the contest went to the final bell. One judge scored the fight 95-95, but scores of 98-93 and 98-92 in Dubois’ favour saw her retain her title.
Aringstall too much for Chapman
Kariss Artingstall (7-0, KO1) took the vacant British featherweight title, as she took a clear points win against former world title challenger Raven Chapman (9-2, KO2). A straight left hand from Artingstall dumped Chapman on the canvas in the second, and although Chapman was competitive enough, Artingstall was one step ahead in the main, and ran out a winner by scores of 98-91, 97-92 and 96-93.
And NEW! 😤
Karriss Artingstall beats Raven Chapman via unanimous decision to become the inaugural British featherweight champion! 👑#JonasPrice | Live on Sky Sports pic.twitter.com/807IpqHGOB
— Sky Sports Boxing (@SkySportsBoxing) March 7, 2025
Watson tastes defeat and Hennessey impresses
Jasmina Zapotoczna (9-1, 0 KOs) took a second upset win in a row, as she became the new European flyweight champion with a split decision win against former sparring partner Chloe Watson (8-1, KO0) in what was an absorbing battle. Zapotoczna took the unbeaten record of Maisie Rose Courtney in her previous outing. It was a frenetic fight, and one judge had Watson a 97-93 winner, overruled by two scores of 96-95 in favour of the Pole based in Wakefield.
Fran Hennessey (6-0, 1 KOs) opened the show, and she defended her WBA Intercontinental super bantamweight title against late replacement Gemma Ruegg (8-13-1, 1 KO) in a wide points win. Ruegg was game as they come, and gave Hennessey a good workout, but ‘Billion Dollar Baby’ ran out an 80-72 winner on the referee’s scorecard.
