Welsh Boxing Reigns Supreme: Price and Harris Aim to Add to Impressive Welsh Title Tally
Harry Corish - Sportin Journalist
Saturday night promises to be a historic occasion as Wales’ Lauren Price takes on Kirstie Bavington, as the pair go head-to-head in the inaugural British women’s Welterweight Championship.
The highly anticipated showdown will take place over 10 rounds at the Resorts World Arena in Birmingham, with Price facing an early test in her professional career, having had just three pro fights so far.
However, the Olympic champion will be keen to prove her worth after a successful eight-rounder against Naomi Mannes in her last outing.
Bavington boasts an unbeaten record of six fights, four of which have ended in knockout victories. Price will be aware that Bavington, known for her aggressive style, will be determined to win, particularly since they are fighting in her hometown.
It was Olympic fever during the 2012 Olympic Games that started Price’s rapid rise in the sport of boxing, having been inspired by Nicola Adams winning her Olympic gold medal.
Just under ten years later, it was Price who struck gold at the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympics, but now the southpaw from Ystrad Mynach has her sights set on the inaugural British Women’s Welterweight Championship.
It is a far cry from being capped by Wales’ senior football team back in 2012, having won the Women’s Welsh Premier League and several Kickboxing World titles, but Price continues to dream, and she usually finds a way to make her dreams become a reality.
MALE BOXING
Jay Harris will also step into the ring this weekend for his highly anticipated bout against Tommy Frank, as he hopes to become the new British Flyweight Champion.
If he is successful, he would become Wales’ third current British Champion after Sean McGoldrick and Gavin Gwynne, or fourth if Price is also successful this weekend.
Harris, who has a record of 19 wins, 2 losses, and 1 draw, will be facing a tough challenge in Frank, who holds a record of 14 wins and 1 loss and will be defending his title for the second time.
However, the Swansea boxer has been in fine form in recent fights, winning his last 5 matches, including a knockout victory over Hector Gabriel Acosta in his most recent bout.
CRICKET
In Cricket, Glamorgan endured a tough opening day to their LV= Division Two Championship clash against Yorkshire in Headingly, but they put themselves on top heading into the weekend.
The hosts won the toss and opted to bowl, and their decision was rewarded after Ben Coad took the early wickets of Glamorgan captain David Lloyd and stand-in opener Andrew Salter.
It was an important 82-run partnership between the world’s number one test batsman, Marnus Labuschagne, and Sam Northeast that had helped the Welsh county get into their groove.
Northeast fell just before making his half-century, while Labuschagne continued his stiff resistance before losing his wicket for 65.
There were cameos from Billy Root and Tim van der Gugten, but Glamorgan were eventually bowled out for 245. Yorkshire would have been buoyed with their excellent start, but Glamorgan’s bowlers produced a superb spell before the close to reduce their rivals to 62-5.
Van der Gugten continued his excellent season, taking the wickets of both Finlay Bean and Adam Lyth, before Australian paceman Michael Neser picked up three further wickets ahead of the close of play.
But if Glamorgan are to continue their excellent start, they will have to see off England test pair Dawid Malan and Bairstow, who stuck in as the day came to a close.