Lauren Price hopes to still hear wedding bells and walk down the aisle next month after her victorious bloody battle against Stephanie Pineiro in Cardiff.
Price was a clear winner on the scorecards – two judges scoring it 98-92 and the other 99-91 – over a pulsating 10-rounder that saw the WBA, WBC and IBF world welterweight belts remain in Wales.
But Price ended the contest covered in blood after a cut mouth prompted nervous glances among her fans from the fifth round onwards – and hopes her partner Carlie Jones will still marry her on May 30.
Price attended a brief press post-fight conference before heading to a nearby hospital for a check up.
“I think it looks a lot worse than it is if I’m honest,” said Price, 31, after taking her unblemished professional record to double figures.
“It’s a little cut in my mouth, but (trainer) Rob McCracken kept me calm and collected.
“Hopefully my partner’s still going to marry me in May.”
Although the cuts and bruises might not have disappeared before her hen night next Saturday, Price will venture out in Cardiff still on top of the world after producing another measured display in difficult circumstances.
Pineiro was emboldened by Price’s blood-splattered face and vest, but the Puerto Rican was unable to bridge the gap in class as her own unbeaten record fell.
Price said: “I knew it was going to be tough, I’ve been out of the ring for a year and it was a mandatory defence as well.
“She’s probably second best in the division well and a tough girl.
“But I showed another level in there in toughness in front of the home fans.
“Another level of maturity. Stay calm, stick to my boxing, and get through.”
Four-weight world champion Claressa Shields was ringside in Cardiff, and Price is targeting a two-fight deal with the American with talks already under way between the respective camps.
The pair faced off in the ring after and a match could be made at middleweight – the division at which Price won Olympic gold in Tokyo five years ago.
Price said: “I fully respect Shields. I think she’s the best in the game and to be the best you have to beat the best.
“Full credit to her for what she’s done her in her career, but I honestly believe in myself. I’m just getting better and better.
“I’m in this game for the biggest fights and I want to be a multi-weight world champion.
“What a great honour it would be to share the ring with Shields, and not just for one fight.
“I said to her ‘I’ll go to America and you come to Wales’ and she shook on it.”
Price’s Boxxer promoter Ben Shalom said: “Lauren’s that good a fighter that a lot of fighters don’t fancy it.
“Shields is the biggest name in the sport. She recognises that Lauren is coming into her prime at 31 and wants legacy fights.
“Hopefully one in the stadium here in Cardiff because she’s probably too big for this arena now.”
