BOXXER has officially announced that unified welterweight world champion Lauren Price will make the next defense of her prestigious crowns against Czech challenger Michaela Kotaskova. The high-stakes showdown is scheduled to headline a major card broadcast live on BBC Two from Cardiff on November 20th, bringing elite-level women’s boxing back to the Welsh capital for what promises to be an electric atmosphere.
Price, fighting out of Wales and carrying an undefeated record of 10 wins with 2 knockouts, has enjoyed a meteoric rise through both the amateur and professional ranks. Her journey to the top was cemented by a stunning gold medal triumph at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, a feat that captured the imagination of sports fans across the United Kingdom. Since transitioning to the professional code, the talented Welsh southpaw has continued to collect high-profile scalps, securing significant, career-defining victories over seasoned elite competitors such as Jessica McCaskill and Natasha Jonas.
Despite her stellar resume and undisputed status aspirations, securing consistent fights against the division’s biggest names has proven to be a frustrating endeavor for Price and her promotional team in recent months. Long-running negotiations aimed at organizing a massive undisputed championship showdown with Mikaela Mayer ultimately fell through, leaving fans and pundits disappointed. Similarly, persistent efforts to orchestrate a blockbuster domestic clash against multi-division queen Claressa Shields have repeatedly stalled, forcing Price’s handlers to look elsewhere to keep their star active and her world titles defended on home soil.
Enter Michaela Kotaskova of the Czech Republic. The 34-year-old challenger steps into this golden opportunity sporting a professional record of 12 wins, 1 defeat, and 2 draws, with 4 victories coming inside the distance. Throughout her professional career, Kotaskova has largely campaigned across Europe, occasionally crossing paths with notable opposition. Her most significant victory to date came in 2024 when she defeated 48-year-old former world titlist Mikaela Lauren. However, her more recent step-ups in competition have highlighted the steep mountain she must climb against a technician of Price’s caliber; her challenge against Chantelle Cameron this past April saw her manage a grand total of just two cumulative rounds across the three ringside judges’ scorecards.
Nevertheless, the champion is taking nothing for granted as she prepares for her homecoming. Speaking on the announcement of the bout, Lauren Price expressed her enduring excitement about performing in front of her local supporters.
“There’s nothing better than fighting at home in Wales,” Price said. “The atmosphere in Cardiff is always incredible and I can’t wait to walk out in front of my home fans again. I’ve worked incredibly hard to get to this position and I’m not giving anything up. Kotaskova is a tough, experienced opponent who has competed at world level, but I believe I’m the best welterweight on the planet and on November 20 I’m going to show it. I want to put on a big performance and give everyone in Wales another night to remember.”
Challenger Michaela Kotaskova acknowledged the immense challenge ahead of her while remaining steadfast in her ambition to capture championship gold on British soil.
“I have a lot of respect for Lauren and everything she has achieved, but I am coming to Cardiff to take her titles,” Kotaskova stated.
The November 20th card will feature compelling supporting action, highlighted by an intriguing domestic clash down at featherweight. Rhys Edwards, holding a professional record of 17 wins, 1 loss, and 1 draw with 4 knockouts, is set to lock horns with Lee McGregor, who enters the ring with a record of 16 wins, 3 losses, and 1 draw, including 11 wins by knockout.
Edwards has experienced a series of testing and high-profile fights in recent years. He came perilously close to pulling off a major upset when he pushed Peter McGrail on short notice two years ago, subsequently secured a comfortable victory over veteran spoiler Thomas Essomba, and fought to a hard-earned draw against Gully Powar during an April bid for the British title. McGregor, meanwhile, will be looking to revitalize his career and prove he can still mix it at a high level after enduring tough stoppage or decision losses to formidable domestic operators Nathaniel Collins and Michael Gomez Jr.
