Soccer

Pressure not on me – Natasha Jonas relishing underdog role against Lauren Price

The pair will headline the first female main event at the Royal Albert Hall, as a curtain-raiser to International Women’s Day.

Natasha Jonas (left) has issued a warning to Lauren Price
Natasha Jonas (left) has issued a warning to Lauren Price (Ben Whitley/PA)
By Reuben Rosso-Powell, PA

Natasha Jonas has issued a “be careful what you wish for” warning to Lauren Price ahead of their all-British welterweight unification bout on Friday, March 7.

The pair will headline the first-ever female main event at the Royal Albert Hall, as a curtain-raiser to International Women’s Day (March 8).

The unification clash took shape in Liverpool last month, when Jonas added the WBC title to her IBF belt by beating Ivana Habazin and Price defended her WBA crown with a third-round stoppage of Bexcy Mateus.

Speaking at the Dorchester Hotel during Tuesday’s launch press conference, the 40-year-old Jonas claimed the destiny of the fight was in her hands.

“I will decide when it’s time,” she said to Price. “Be careful what you wish for, have a great camp and I’ll see you on March 7.

“The pressure is not on me. Lauren is a champion who’s never lost a round, has an Olympic gold medal… There’s a lot of pressure on her to come in and do what she said she can do.

“Being the underdog suits me. I’ve been here before and it’s not something that’s new.”

Welsh fighter Price, 10 years younger than her opponent, has a perfect 8-0-0 professional record since her Olympic triumph in Tokyo three and a half years ago.

“Taking age out of it, I know I’m better in all areas,” she said. “My accolades speak for themselves. I’m fresh in the pro game.

Jonas (left) and Price face off during a press conference
Jonas (left) and Price face off during a press conference (Ben Whitley/PA)

“With pressure comes diamonds and I will come out on March 7 as a winner and I’m taking them belts back to Wales.

“I believe in myself, like Natasha. People have written me off, like against Jessica McCaskill in Cardiff (last May). I’ve never lost a round. I believe I come through with flying colours.”

Boxxer promoter Ben Shalom hailed the meeting between Jonas and Price as a landmark event for women’s sport.

“I think the Royal Albert Hall looked at this and thought it isn’t just an event but a special event for sport and women’s sport,” he said.

“It’s an incredibly proud moment for the company, for the fighters and Sky Sports. It will be a phenomenal event.”