Lauren Price Successfully Defends Titles and Issues Challenge to Claressa Shields

Lauren Price successfully defended her unified welterweight world championships in a grueling battle against Stephanie Pineiro Aquino in Cardiff. Despite being marked up and bloodied, Price secured a unanimous decision victory, with scores of 98-92 on two cards and 99-91 on one. Following her win, she was promptly confronted by Claressa Shields, an Olympic gold medallist and multi-weight undisputed champion. Shields expressed her willingness to move down in weight to fight Price, stating, 'If you want to come up to 160lbs, me and you can make it happen. I've got one more fight, then we can fight at the end of the year.' Price accepted the challenge, responding, 'We both need dance partners, we've both got Olympic gold medals, let's do it! I want to fight the best.' This highly anticipated matchup is set to take place later this year. In her first fight since becoming a three-belt champion over a year ago, Price received a rapturous welcome in Cardiff, where she was returning to the ring for the first time since winning her first world title in 2024. The fight against Pineiro was highly competitive, with both fighters giving their all. Price's victory was a testament to her skill and determination, and her upcoming fight against Shields is expected to be one of the most exciting matchups in women's boxing.