Unified world champion Lauren Price has insisted her complete focus remains fixed on her upcoming opponent, Czech Republic contender Katerina Kotaskova, dismissing any immediate prospect of a blockbuster showdown with American star Claressa Shields for the time being.
Price, who transitioned to the professional ranks following an illustrious amateur career that famously culminated in Olympic gold at the Tokyo Games, is preparing for the 11th professional bout of her career. Her opponent, Kotaskova, earned widespread respect earlier this year when she took former undisputed champion Chantelle Cameron the distance during a hard-fought contest in London back in April.
Kotaskova’s narrow defeat on the judges’ scorecards at light-middleweight stands as the solitary blemish on a 15-fight professional career. That resilient track record ensures she will present a formidable and technically demanding challenge for Price as the Welsh fighter continues her ascent through the divisions.
For some time, the trajectory of Price’s professional journey appeared to be steering her inevitably toward a high-profile collision with Shields. Speculation reached a fever pitch earlier this year when the two fighters faced off inside the ring following Price’s impressive victory over Jessica Pineiro. The momentum behind a potential cross-category mega-fight was further fueled as recently as August, when Shields publicly called out the Welsh champion after successfully reclaiming world titles in the middleweight division.
Talks regarding a lucrative two-fight deal circulated widely within boxing circles, capturing the imagination of fight fans eager to see two of the sport’s premier operators trade leather. However, when pressed on why negotiations ultimately stalled and what happened behind the scenes, Price revealed to BBC Sport Wales that the terms simply did not align with her worth or her career ambitions.
"There was nothing on my side. The money wasn’t great, I wanted to fight in America and in Wales, but she wouldn’t come here, and there was no rematch clause," Price explained candidly. "Everything basically was stacked against me and it just didn’t make sense."
Rather than rushing into a high-risk scenario under unfavorable conditions, the unified champion emphasized the importance of self-belief, professional dignity, and strategic career management. Price noted that she has earned her status through years of elite competition and remains firmly in control of her own destiny.
"I have to stand on my own two feet and think: ‘I’m Lauren Price, I’m unified champion, Olympic gold medallist,’" she stated. "If I was towards the end of my career or if I had a few losses, absolutely you jump on it. But there’s no rush and there’s equally exciting fights out there."
Despite the temporary impasse, Price has not closed the door entirely on a future clash with the multi-weight American legend. She acknowledged the immense sporting appeal of the matchup while reiterating that timing and fairness remain paramount considerations for her team.
"That fight will definitely happen, but only when it’s the right time and it makes sense," Price concluded.
For now, all attention shifts to the immediate test ahead against Kotaskova, where Price will look to make another statement performance and further solidify her standing at the elite level of women’s boxing.
