Price calls for Shields fight after Pineiro win

Lauren Price secured her 10th consecutive professional victory with a decisive win over Stephanie Pineiro, retaining her welterweight world titles in Cardiff. The 31-year-old British boxer endured a grueling battle, overcoming a severe cut in the fifth round to claim a unanimous decision. Her victory set the stage for a future showdown with American star Claressa Shields, whom Price has long targeted.

A tough challenge against a formidable opponent

Price’s triumph was no easy feat. Facing the previously undefeated Puerto Rican, she was forced to adapt and fight intelligently. Pineiro, who had vowed to electrify the Cardiff crowd, started aggressively, landing sharp punches in the early exchanges. However, Price’s speed and precision soon took control, particularly in the second round, where she dominated with clean strikes despite her opponent’s height advantage.

“This girl stood in front of me is one of the best in the game,” said Price. “We all need dance partners, we’ve both got Olympic gold medals, let’s do it. This is why I’m in the game, I want to fight the best. Credit to Shields – I respect her – but I back myself!”

Shields, who currently holds the IBF, WBC, WBF, and WBO heavyweight titles, hinted at a potential meeting in 2026. She suggested the bout would be contested at middleweight, emphasizing the significance of the matchup. “Me and you have talked online, and me and you can make it happen,” she added. “You did great tonight. No disrespect to you, but I’ve got one more fight before we can step up to the next level.”

Venue ambitions and a historic rivalry

Price has frequently expressed her desire to stage a high-profile clash at either the Cardiff City Stadium or the Principality Stadium, both of which could accommodate massive crowds. Facing Shields, she believes the occasion would justify such a venue shift. Meanwhile, her promoter Ben Shalom acknowledged the potential of the upcoming super-fight. “It’s only a matter of time,” he said. “To become the number one fighter in the world, you have to box the number one fighter in the world.”

Co-main event ends in a draw

In the evening’s co-main event, Rhys Edwards and Gully Powar delivered an intense British featherweight title contest. The pair exchanged sharp exchanges throughout, with Edwards initially leading after landing quick counter punches. Powar, however, grew into the fight, throwing more combinations in each round. By the final bell, both fighters claimed victory on their scorecards, resulting in a majority draw.

The decision marked a dramatic finish to the night, with the crowd split between two resilient warriors. As the dust settled, Price’s victory over Pineiro reignited talk of her next challenge, setting the stage for a historic showdown with Shields in the months ahead.