History could be made at the Cardiff International Arena this Saturday evening, as Lauren Price attempts to become a world champion, and the first Welshwoman to achieve the feat, but she faces a tough test against WBA, IBO and Ring Magazine world welterweight champion, Jessica McCaskill to achieve this.
Sky Sports televise live McCaskill vs Price in the UK and NBC’s Peacock in the USA, whilst Ben Shalom’s BOXXER promote the show.
A former kickboxer and footballer, Price (6-0, 1 KO) struck gold at the Tokyo Olympics as a boxer and her professional odyssey has been flawless to date.
2023 saw the 29-year-old become the first ever female British champion, as she won every round of ten against Kirstie Bavington, and she was victorious twice more during the year, the last an eight round shutout over eight against Silvia Bortot in December.
It’s a big jump up in class though against McCaskill (12-3-1, 5 KOs), an American who, after a spell as unified super lightweight world champion, stunned Cecilia Breakhus in 2020, becoming undisputed welterweight champion with a majority decision win.
The Chicago native defended by unanimous decision in a rematch, and made a further defence before losing on the cards in a bid for the undisputed super lightweight crown in November 2022 to Chantelle Cameron.
The 39-year-old moved back up for her last fight, but looked fortunate to come away with a draw against Sandy Ryan in Orlando, and Price will fancy her chances as a result.
Prediction: McCaskill is sure to test Price more than anyone else during the Welshwoman’s fledgling career, and I feel that it could be a close contest. With a home crowd behind her, Price can triumph on points via a tight margin.
Fury faces Korte
Hughie Fury (27-3, 15 KOs) steps up his bid to return to world level with his second fight in under a month, when he faces Germany’s Patrick Korte (21-3-1, 18 KOs) in a scheduled eight rounder at heavyweight.
Korte was halted in three by Demsey McKean in 2022, whilst Fury returned after a two-and-a-half year absence with a points victory over Ukraine’s Kostiantyn Dovbyshchenko last month.
Prediction: Fury should bank an early win here.
Edwards clashes with Ward
Rhys Edwards is fresh off an impressive win over Brad Foster last November, and he vies for the vacant WBA Intercontinental featherweight title against former British champion, Thomas Patrick Ward.
Ward (34-1-1, 5 KOs) made a belated step-up in class for a world title eliminator in March last year, and was outclassed and stopped in five by Otabek Kholmatov, and returned with a routine points win over eight in March against Armani Bariki.
Prediction: Edwards (15-0, 4 KOs) is the fresher man and can take a victory on the cards here.
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Jeffers meets Johnstone
In a battle of unbeatens at super middleweight, Mark Jeffers takes on Darren Johnstone.
Jeffers (17-0, 4 KOs) won the English title in July last year by outscoring Zak Chelli, and defended with a clear points win against Germaine Brown in January.
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Johnstone (8-0, 2 KOs) is the Scottish champion, but is unproven.
Prediction: Jeffers can take the win over ten rounds on points.
Remaining Undercard
The second and final eight rounder is at light heavyweight, where Lewis Edmondson (8-0, 3 KOs) should be able to score a stoppage win against the faded Joel McIntyre (20-8, 5 KOs).
In six round contests, Kyran Jones (9-0, 1 KO) can bank a points win at super middleweight against Lewis Howells (3-0) and Kane Shepherd (4-0, 1 KO) can do the same against Ishmael Ellis (14-8) in their super featherweight meeting.
Elsewhere, Moses Jolly (8-0, 6 KOs) should halt Amine Boucetta (8-12) in their six round heavyweight attraction.
