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Lauren Price to Defend Unified Welterweight Titles in Cardiff Showdown
On Saturday, April 4, Welsh boxer Lauren Price will put her unified welterweight world championships on the line against Puerto Rican contender Stephanie Pineiro Aquino at Cardiff’s Utilita Arena.
The bout will be broadcast live on BBC Two and available for streaming on BBC iPlayer.
Price’s Journey and Homecoming
At 31 years old, Price has been inactive since her commanding victory over Natasha Jonas in London last March, where she secured the WBC and IBF titles to complement her existing WBA belt. This upcoming fight marks her first professional match in Wales since she claimed the world championship by defeating Jessica McCaskill in her seventh pro fight.
Expressing her excitement, Price stated, “Defending my world titles on home soil in Wales is incredibly meaningful. I want to honor the unwavering support from my fans with another outstanding performance.” She added, “I embrace every challenge. Stephanie Pineiro Aquino is a formidable opponent, but nothing will prevent me from celebrating victory in Cardiff on April 4. Yma o hyd.”
Challenger Stephanie Pineiro Aquino: A Rising Threat
Stephanie Pineiro Aquino, aged 35, enters the ring undefeated in 10 professional bouts, though all her fights have taken place exclusively in Puerto Rico. She remains determined to make her mark internationally.
“Lauren may enjoy the advantage of the home crowd, but I carry the hopes of my entire country,” Aquino declared confidently. “I’m here to bring those belts back to Puerto Rico.”
Path to Undisputed Glory
A win for Price could pave the way for her to pursue the coveted status of undisputed welterweight champion-a milestone she anticipated reaching by the end of last year following her triumph over Jonas. Her recent attendance at Mikaela Mayer’s successful WBO welterweight title defense against Britain’s Sandy Ryan in Las Vegas underscores her commitment to staying connected with the elite boxing scene.
Welsh Sporting Icon and Promoter Praise
Ben Shalom, promoter at Boxxer, lauded Price’s impact beyond the ring: “Lauren Price is not only a world champion but a Welsh sporting legend and one of the finest athletes our nation has ever produced. Hosting such a significant world title defense in Cardiff, broadcast live on BBC Two, is a moment of immense pride for us all.”
Additional Highlights: British Bantamweight Title Eliminator
On the same evening, British bantamweight Francesca Hennessy will headline a world-title eliminator against Ellie Bouttell, also airing on BBC Two. This event marks only the third occasion in over 20 years that professional boxing has been featured in prime time on the BBC’s main channels, following Jeamie ‘TKV’ Tshikeva’s victory over Frazer Clarke in November and Troy Williamson’s stoppage win against Callum Simpson in December.
