The upcoming fight between Natasha Jonas and Lauren Price is generating buzz, even though both fighters claim it’s not personal. The stakes are high with Jonas’ WBC and IBF titles, and Price’s WBA welterweight belt on the line. However, this match is about more than just titles.
Price, with an undefeated record of 8 wins and 2 knockouts, will face Jonas, who has 16 wins, 2 losses, 1 draw, and 9 knockouts. They will be the main event at the Royal Albert Hall in London on Friday, in a card featuring only female fighters, just before International Women’s Day.
The winner will join boxing legends who have triumphed at this historic venue. More importantly, they will advance towards a potential undisputed championship fight against either Mikaela Mayer or Sandy Ryan, who are scheduled for a rematch on March 29.
There’s been some tension in the lead-up to the fight. Price questions Jonas’ desire to fight her, while Jonas believes Price is not her toughest opponent. Jonas has pointed out Price’s lack of experience in high-stakes professional boxing matches.
This fight is also seen as a potential shift in the guard. Jonas, at 40, considered retirement recently. A victory against the younger Price could propel her to a fight for all the welterweight belts, significantly boosting her legacy.
Price, aged 30, is confident, using the slogan ‘Too young, too quick, too good.’ Jonas has stated that while Price is fast for her weight class, she has faced faster opponents like Katie Taylor and Caroline Dubois, emphasizing her experience against top-level speed.
Price, an Olympic gold medalist, has suggested she could have fought for a world title in her first professional fight, a claim Jonas dismisses. Price believes she is superior to Jonas in every aspect, citing her extensive amateur career where she faced diverse styles and high-caliber opponents.
Despite holding multiple titles and having more experience, Jonas is positioning herself as the underdog. Jonas’s trainer, Joe Gallagher, criticized the hype around Price, pointing out that she has been knocked down in both amateur and sparring sessions. He believes that many boxing experts are underestimating Jonas and predicts Price will lose rounds and ultimately the fight, urging them to give Jonas credit after her victory.
