Price Retains Titles and Challenges Shields
Lauren Price (right) improved her professional record to 10-0 with a victory over Stephanie Pineiro.
Lauren Price overcame a severe cut to defeat Stephanie Pineiro on points, successfully defending her welterweight world titles in Cardiff. Following the bout, Price called for a future fight against Claressa Shields.
The 31-year-old Price sustained a significant cut in the fifth round against the previously unbeaten Puerto Rican contender. Despite the injury, Price persevered through the full fight and secured a unanimous decision victory on the judges' scorecards.
After the fight, American boxer Claressa Shields, who has won 15 world title belts across five weight divisions, entered the ring to confront Price.
"This girl stood in front of me is one of the best in the game," said Price.
"We all need dance partners, we've both got Olympic gold medals, let's do it.
"This is why I'm in the game, I want to fight the best. Credit to Shields - I respect her - but I back myself!"
Shields said the location of any fight would have to be discussed but hinted at a meeting between the two stars at the end of 2026 and said the bout would be at middleweight.
"When you are an Olympic champion you are a special fighter," said Shields.
"Me and you have talked online and me and you can make it happen, you did great tonight.
"No disrespect to you, you've got a little bit of time. I've got one more fight and then we can fight at the end of the year."
Price has frequently expressed interest in staging a future fight at either the 33,000-seat Cardiff City Stadium or the Principality Stadium, which can accommodate nearly 80,000 spectators.
Facing Shields would represent a significant challenge and could justify such a large venue.
Shields, also 31, currently holds the IBF, WBC, WBF, and WBO heavyweight world titles and maintains a professional record of 18-0.
Price Overcomes Tough Challenge from Pineiro
Price's victory over Pineiro was hard-earned. Previously, Price had dominated her fights, but Pineiro, who was undefeated before this bout and had vowed to surprise the Cardiff crowd, presented a formidable challenge.
Price anticipated a tough fight from the outset, expecting "the kitchen sink from round one." Pineiro started aggressively, landing punches early and showing no signs of being overwhelmed in her first professional fight outside Puerto Rico.
Price was more dominant in the second round, using her speed advantage against the taller opponent to land a series of clean punches. Pineiro's left eye appeared bruised and swollen at the start of the third round, with Price landing additional right hooks to increase the damage.
Despite the punishment, Pineiro demonstrated her skill and composure in the middle rounds, particularly in the fifth round when Price suffered a heavily split lip.
Price responded by intensifying her efforts in the sixth and seventh rounds, finishing both with a flurry of punches that left Pineiro off-balance.
The eighth and ninth rounds were relatively uneventful, though the visible damage on both fighters' faces increased.
In the tenth and final round, Pineiro pressed forward, likely seeking a knockout. However, Price continued to land the more significant strikes, buoyed by the support of the predominantly Welsh crowd.
The judges' scorecards reflected Price's performance, awarding her the victory with scores of 99-91, 98-92, and 98-92, to enthusiastic applause.
With a super-fight now in view, Price's promoter Ben Shalom suggested the Welsh boxer could become the top pound-for-pound female fighter globally by year's end.
"It's only a matter of time. To become the number one fighter in the world, you have to box the number one fighter in the world," he said.
Edwards and Powar Draw in British Featherweight Title Fight
In the co-main event, Rhys Edwards and Gully Powar fought to a majority draw in the British featherweight title contest.
Penygraig's Edwards began strongly, winning the initial rounds with quick counter right hands and effective use of the jab.
Powar gained momentum as the fight progressed, becoming the busier fighter and throwing more punches in every round.
Both fighters raised their arms at the conclusion of the 12th round, each believing they had secured the title.
The first judge scored the bout 115-114 in favor of Powar, exciting his traveling supporters in South Wales. However, the other two judges scored the fight 114-114, resulting in a majority draw.
Despite pre-fight tensions, Edwards and Powar showed mutual respect after the decision and both expressed interest in a rematch.
"I knew it was a tight fight, he's a very good fighter. I respect him and we go again," said Edwards.
Powar responded: "Rhys is a great fighter but I think I won the fight.
"I was relentless the whole 12 rounds, I didn't let him breathe but let's do it again, I'd love to do it again."
Undercard Results
On the undercard, Welsh fighters Mikey O'Sullivan, Jacob Robinson, Kyran Jones, and Morgan McIntosh all secured victories. Ireland's Teo Alin caused an upset by defeating hometown fighter Kane Shepherd, marking the only Welsh loss of the night.
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