Lauren Price defended her World Boxing titles in some style on Saturday evening, knocking out Bexcy Matheus in the third round of an uncompetitive contest in Liverpool.

The WBO, IBO, and The Ring welterweight champion was dominant throughout, landing several big blows with her left as Matheus struggled with the standard.

By knocking Columbia fighter Matheus out in the third round, Lauren Price put down a marker ahead of a potential British unification bout with Natasha Jonas – who also won on Saturday.

Uneven Contest

Price’s opponent, Matheus, was almost a complete unknown prior to the bout, having only fought in her native Columbia before this. However, with a formidable record of seven fights, seven wins, and six knockouts, Price will have been well aware of the potential banana skin ahead of her.

Price, using her vastly superior speed and skill, dodged any obstacles, finishing a cagey first round with a big left that knocked Matheus to the ground.

Matheus recovered to get to the bell, but was shaken from then on. The Columbian was knocked down again, this time due to a lightning quick combination from Price. Matheus showed great resolve to recover again from being knocked down, but there were to be only one winner.

Shortly after the third round begun, the fight was over. Price landed another big left hand and as Matheus stumbled, the Welsh boxer finished the contest with another sharp strike.

The referee called the contest and Price has won in convincing fashion.

Letting Out Some Frustration

It was clear before and after this bout that this was not the fight that Price truly wanted. Following her own World title winning fight with Jessica McCaskill, Price wanted to fight fellow British World Champ Natasha Jonas, who also won in Liverpool.

Jonas, 40, beat Ivana Habazin in Saturday’s main event, and it was now understood that contracts have been signed and a fight agreed for March 2025 between Price and Jonas.

The winner would then be just Mikaela Mayer’s WBO title away from being the undisputed welterweight champion.

“I believe I am the best at 147lbs,” Price told Sky Sports after her victory.

“Fight by fight I keep learning, I have so much more to come.

“I want to bring big-time boxing back to Wales.”

Coming Back To Cardiff

Having beaten McCaskill in Cardiff earlier this year, Price was keen to stress that she wants to bring ‘big-time boxing’ back to Wales with more World title fights in the capital.

With the Jonas fight slated for London, though, Price will seemingly have to wait.

“For the British fans I would love to fight Tash,” Price said.

“It’s one hell of a fight for British fans and boxing in general.

“In this pro game you have to call the shots. If you’re a world champion and you have titles you should fight anyone.

“I have a few years in me but next year I want to be chasing belts. I want to be an undisputed world champion.”

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