Wales’ Lauren Price successfully defended her WBA welterweight world title by stopping Bexcy Mateus in devastating fashion on Saturday in Liverpool.
The 30-year-old dropped her Colombian opponent three times, all by her left hand, before the referee stopped the contest in the third round.
The fight was in large a mismatch, as Price outclassed her opponent to extend her undefeated record to eight fights in her first defence of her world title.
“With speed comes power, I enjoyed myself in there tonight,” Price told Sky Sports.
“I wanted to make a bit of a statement, I want big fights next year.
“Credit to my opponent, I didn’t know much about her but I knew she had a good record. I’ve had a great camp and I’m over the moon.”
Price also holds the Ring Magazine title and will look to unify the division next if rival Natasha Jonas can come through her test with Croatia’s Ivana Habazin.
The Welsh boxer featured on the undercard of IBF welterweight champion and rival Jonas in Liverpool and she called out her domestic rival after the victory.
“It will be a great British fight, when I turned over as Olympic champion I wanted to be involved in massive fights,” she said.
“It’s one hell of a fight for British fans and boxing in general.”
In just her seventh professional fight, Price picked up a world title to become the first ever female boxing world champion from Wales.
The win continues Price’s remarkable sporting career which includes four senior world kickboxing titles, as well as a host of European gold medals, and representing Wales in football at international level.
Price shows her knockout ability
The Exhibition Centre in Liverpool was packed nicely with the large hall using a flat seating plan so spectators were all on the same level.
Price’s name was met with cheers around the arena as she made her way to the ring, dressed in shiny red fight kit with gold trim.
In the moments before the fight she remained cool and locked in, shadow boxing as she waited for the first bell.
The contest started with Mateus on the front foot, the Colombian, 29, looking to set the tone and forcing Price to box off her back foot.
Mateus’ corner shouted out encouragement for their fighter as she pressed on but Price started to land a few decent blows and then, in the first round, scored a knockdown as she landed a powerful left hook off a straight right hand.
Mateus beat the count and made it back to her corner for the end of the round after being stunned.
Price’s confidence grew as they entered the second, having success again as she stepped in and dropped Mateus once more.
She delivered a devastating straight left hand to the head of the Colombian who hit the canvas again before making it back up and lasting once more through to the end of the round.
Mateus was visibly shaken entering the third as Price stepped it up again.
The Olympic gold medalist delivered a number of powerful blows before Mateus turned her back and was stuck by a straight left hand and was floored for the third time.
Referee Steve Gray then waved off the contest and Mateus’ team threw in the towel moments after as the bout was called to a halt.
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