Lauren Price vs Jessica McCaskill final press conference quotes
Photo credit: Lawrence Lustig/BOXXER
Big time boxing returns to Wales as BOXXER presents a huge night of action in Cardiff on Saturday, May 11th with Lauren Price MBE challenging Jessica McCaskill for the WBA, IBO and Ring Magazine World Welterweight Titles at the Utilita Arena Cardiff, live on Sky Sports in the UK and Ireland, BBC Wales in Wales and Peacock in the USA.
History maker Price, the first Welsh boxer to win Olympic gold, has the chance to write her name in the record books again by becoming the country’s first female world champion.
The 29-year-old from Ystrad Mynach, Price, is yet to lose a round in the professional ranks but will face her toughest career test when she attempts to dethrone current welterweight ruler McCaskill.
McCaskill is a two-weight world champion, who unified the WBA and WBC World Super Lightweight Titles before moving up in weight to end Cecilia Brækhus’ decade long reign at the top of the welterweight division.
The two fighters exchanged words for the final time at today’s press conference ahead of their hotly anticipated world title clash on Saturday night.
Lauren Price MBE said: “I’ve been overwhelmed by the amount of support I’ve received; it’s blown me out the park. I can’t thank the Welsh fans enough, there’s going to be some noise in there on Saturday night and I can’t wait to put on a show. I’m going to take my time on the ring walk, enjoy myself, soak it all in but when I get in that ring it’s game on and time for business.”
Jessica McCaskill said: “The Welsh fans aren’t supporting me, but they’ve welcomed me with open arms and just want to see a great fight on Saturday night like everybody else. I want to build fans everywhere I go. The excitement comes from stepping into my opponent’s back yard. I want to hear the crowd go wild and that will get me through the fight.”
BOXXER founder and CEO Ben Shalom: “McCaskill is a pioneer of women’s boxing. This is her 11th world title fight. It’s a special moment for her as well. Why now for Lauren? She’s broken records since she started her sporting career, she’s done it in her boxing career. It’s her seventh fight. Yes, it’s early, and she’s taking on McCaskill, who’s never lost in this weight division. This is a huge test for Lauren Price in Cardiff. To have this much support and an occasion like this was an opportunity we couldn’t turn down. Breaking records, forging legacy. That’s what this fight is all about. There are no full gone conclusions. It really could go either way.”
A stacked undercard features rising Welsh star Rhys Edwards versus former British champion and WBA #1 contender Thomas Patrick Ward for the WBA Intercontinental Featherweight Title, unbeaten English Champion Mark Jeffers defending his Commonwealth Silver Super Middleweight Title against undefeated Scottish Champion Darren Johnstone, plus the return of former World Heavyweight Title challenger Hughie Fury against Germany’s Patrick Korte.
Southampton Light Heavyweight Lewis Edmondson is also set for action against Portsmouth’s Joel McIntyre in a British South Coast derby. 26-year-old Newport southpaw Kyran Jones takes on fellow unbeaten Welshman Lewis Howell, Cardiff Super Featherweight Kane Shepherd faces Birmingham’s Ishmael Ellis, and Swansea giant Moses Jolly continues his quest to become Wales’ first ever heavyweight world champion against Amine Boucetta.
Price’s WBA, IBO and Ring Magazine World Welterweight Title fight against McCaskill will be free and available to all viewers in Wales following a rights deal between BOXXER, Sky Sports and BBC Wales.
All the action is available to watch live on Sky Sports in the UK and Ireland with prelims on the Sky Sports Boxing YouTube channel and the main card on Sky Sports Action and Sky Sports Main Event. US fight fans can watch live and on demand on Peacock.
Final remaining tickets are available from BOXXER.com