Lauren Price hopes to remain on collision course with Natasha Jonas

Lauren Price may be on a collision course with British rival Natasha Jonas, but the WBA welterweight titleholder has some business to attend to before she can focus fully on a fight with her fellow Olympian.

On December 14 in Liverpool, England, the two belt holders will share the same bill.

Price will defend her title against Colombia’s Bexcy Mateus whilst IBF titlist Jonas and WBC titleholder Ivana Habazin will unify the 147lb division.

Provided that Price and Jonas emerge unscathed, a 2025 unification fight between the two Brits is all but agreed upon.

First things first, however: Price, 7-0 (1 KO), must deal with the relatively unknown Mateus, 7-0 (6 KOs).

“She’s game. She has a good record,” the Olympic gold medallist said during a recent interview on talkSPORT.

“She’s had seven fights and six knockouts, so she can bang a bit, but I’m more than confident that I’ll get the job done in style. Stick to what I’m good at and get the win on the night.”

Mateus’ record may suggest that she carries rare power, whilst Habazin is an experienced, smart veteran. But it would be a major shock if either Price or Jonas were to stumble at the final hurdle and ruin plans for a major unification fight.

The fly in the ointment, however, could be ring rust. 

Price hasn’t fought since outboxing Jessica McCaskill to win the WBA, IBO and Ring titles in May, whilst Jonas hasn’t been seen since she successfully defended her title against Mikaela Mayer in January.

In an ideal world, Price would have preferred to make up for lost time and move directly into a unification fight with Jonas. Instead, she will need to bide her time for (at least) a few extra months.

Her reward for her patience – should she and Jonas both win, of course – will be a triple title domestic clash at some point next year.

“I’m excited. If it was up to me, I’d have been boxing her this time in December – just me and her – but, you know, it’s planned out a bit differently. We’ve both got different opponents,” Price said.

“I’m on the undercard, but it is what it is. For me, I suppose I’ve just gotta look at it as I’m staying active and getting out before the end of the year.

“I can enjoy my pigs in blankets at Christmas. I thought at one point I’d be boxing in January, and I thought, ‘Oh no, no Christmas dinner,’ so that’s a positive, I suppose.

“I definitely want that fight. It’s a massive fight for the British fans. A massive fight.”

The momentum generated by women’s boxing has all but ground to a halt in recent months, but last weekend’s outstanding rematch between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano provided the sport a massive shot in the arm. Taylor’s excellent victory was witnessed by an enormous worldwide viewing audience and could provide promoters with the impetus to once again begin featuring female fights on their cards.

Price has already begun to imagine what a card topped by her against Jonas could look like, but her priority is ensuring that the fight does take place next.

“I’ve got full respect for Tasha and I just think it makes a great fight,” she said. “I was lucky enough to be on the [Claressa] Shields-[Savannah] Marshall card and I’m hoping we can headline again, possibly on an all-female card. That would be great, but, definitely, I want that fight next.”

John Evans has contributed to a number of well-known publications and websites for over a decade. You can follow John on X @John_Evans79