Natasha Jonas and Lauren Price are preparing to defend their world titles in a highly anticipated boxing match at the Royal Albert Hall. Here’s a glimpse into what each fighter had to say leading up to the event.
Natasha Jonas
(Unified WBC and IBF welterweight world champion, former unified IBF, WBC and WBO super-welterweight world champion, London 2012 Olympian)
Everyone is doubting me, but I’m determined to prove them wrong. I know I can rise to the occasion and win when it matters most. I’m not intimidated by big fights or important nights. Age is just a number, and I’m proving that to myself.
This is a significant fight for her, which is why she pursued it. In her eyes, beating me would earn her respect because I am respected in the boxing world. I understand why she targeted me, but for me, this is just another fight.
Lauren Price
(WBA welterweight world champion, Olympic gold medallist, World championships gold medallist, European Games gold medallist, Commonwealth Games gold medallist, MBE)
I’ve been wanting this fight for a long time. She wasn’t keen on it initially, but now it’s happening. She claims I wasn’t on her radar, but after my victory against Jessica McCaskill, it was clear I was aiming for big fights. It was inevitable that I’d be challenging her.
For me, this isn’t about other potential opponents like Mikaela Mayer or Sandy Ryan. While I would have fought them, I considered this fight to be easier to arrange.
Jonas:
I was focused on pursuing bigger fights, like Katie Taylor or Mikaela Mayer. If she was interested in a significant fight, she could have faced Sandy Ryan.
She fought a McCaskill who was far from her best, not having performed well in a couple of years.
She was gifted the McCaskill fight, as that was originally meant to be mine. Sandy Ryan was a viable opponent, but she didn’t call out Sandy at that time and instead chose to fight Bexcy Mateus.
There were other fighters she could have targeted, but she chose Mateus. I believe Lauren has had a comfortable professional career so far, and a fight against me will be anything but comfortable.
Price:
I believe this is my toughest challenge yet, but it’s just another step forward. I genuinely believe I am superior in skill and speed.
She mentions age, but in her fights, we’ve seen that she fights in bursts. When she can’t maintain that high gear, she takes a step back or retreats to the ropes to catch her breath. It’s not always because she’s hurt, but to recover.
I think my style plays into that, given my fitness, skill, and speed. I’m going to be a difficult opponent for her.
Jonas:
It’s amusing to me. It sounds very rehearsed. I think she’s trying to convince herself with all those statements about age and ability. It’s her way of telling herself, ‘She’s too old, you’re better.’
I think she needs to tell herself these things to truly believe it.
She’s trying to convince herself.
I believe she’s just psyching herself up, saying, ‘You’ve got this, I can do this.’ That’s what I perceive it as. I’m not buying into it.
Price:
I think this fight with Tasha will elevate my status and make me a bigger name. But personally, and with my team, we already know my capabilities. Without sounding arrogant, I believe I’m the best at 147lbs.
I honestly believe I’ve been avoided since my professional debut. It’s been challenging to find suitable opponents for me.
Nobody seems eager to fight. Ivana Habazin didn’t want to fight me, and neither did Jonas initially. I’ve made it clear that I’m willing to box anyone at 147lbs, and I stand by that.
Jonas:
I don’t think she has enough professional experience to make such claims. What will happen when she loses a round, gets knocked down, or gets cut? She hasn’t faced these situations, and you never know how you’ll react until you’re in them.
I have a boxing IQ that extends beyond just my technique; it’s also about how I handle adversity when things go wrong.
One of my consistent strengths is my timing and accuracy, and I believe that trumps speed any day.
Price:
Power comes with speed.
If she had fought McCaskill, she probably would have struggled. They would have engaged in a toe-to-toe battle, and she would have made it a tough fight for herself. But when you compare that to my fight against McCaskill, I was comfortable in there. I started quickly but tend to improve as the fight progresses.
She possesses something I desire – those belts. It’s a fantastic fight, especially as a major British boxing event.
Jonas:
I’m always aiming to fight the best. But someone is challenging for my belts, and I’m not willing to give them up because I believe there are even bigger opportunities ahead. If we win against Lauren, the path is open to pursue various options. Whether it’s a rematch with Katie Taylor, which would be an undisputed fight, or a fight with Mikaela Mayer, also for undisputed status. Either way, undisputed championships are on the line.
Price:
I respect her, but I believe I will emerge victorious in this fight. It doesn’t matter if it’s a knockout or a points win; LP will get the win.
I’m excited about the future and especially about this upcoming fight.
Jonas:
Be careful what you wish for. The fight is here, and there’s no backing out now.
