Lauren Prices dominates Natasha Jonas in masterclass performance to unify three welterweight titles
Lauren Price produced a masterclass on her biggest night yet.
The Welshwoman dominated Natasha Jonas to win a wide unanimous decision (100-90, 98-92, 98-93) and unify the WBA, WBC and IBF welterweight titles on Friday evening at the Royal Albert Hall in London, United Kingdom.
Jonas (16-3-1, 9 KOs) was Uncrowned's No. 6 pound-for-pound women's boxer in the world coming into the bout, however Price's hands and footwork ultimately proved far too sharp for Jonas to compete against, as the newly unified champ put the Liverpudlian on the end of her straight punches all night. Price (9-0, 2 KOs), a 2024 Olympic gold medalist, consistently landed with combinations and moved out of range before Jonas could fire back, finding particular success with the right-hook counter whenever Jonas attempted to close the distance.
"I think emotions are running high right now, and [trainer] Joe [Gallagher] has been asking me to retire for a very long time," Jonas said in her post-fight interview. "And I actually enjoy sitting next to you, [Sky Sports broadcasters] Anna [Woolhouse] and Johnny [Nelson], and commentating on everyone else's performance. So maybe we look at that afterward."
In the night's chief support, Bo Mi Re Shin (18-3-3, 10 KOs) rallied late to tighten things up but ultimately fell short to Caroline Dubois (11-0-1, 5 KOs) in their WBC lightweight title bout. Dubois won a close majority decision over Shin to retain her world championship. Uncrowned had it scored 96-94 for Dubois.
Elsewhere on the card, Karriss Artingstall (7-0, 1 KO) earned a career-best win over Raven Chapman (9-2, 2 KOs) to win the inaugural British featherweight title, and Jasmina Zapotoczna (9-1, 0 KOs) defeated Chloe Watson (8-1, 0 KOs) by split decision to capture the European flyweight crown.
Check out full Price vs. Jonas results below, as well as Uncrowned's play-by-play of the main card.
WBA, WBC, IBF welterweight titles: Lauren Price def. Natasha Jonas via unanimous decision (100-90, 98-92, 98-93)
WBC lightweight title: Caroline Dubois def. Bo Mi Re Shin via majority decision (95-95, 98-93, 98-92)
Featherweight: Karriss Artingstall def. Raven Chapman via unanimous decision (96-92, 98-91, 96-93)
Flyweight: Jasmina Zapotoczna def. Chloe Watson via split decision (93-97, 96-95, 96-95)
Super bantamweight: Francesca Hennessy def. Gemma Ruegg via points (80-72)
Natasha Jonas was asked if this is the last time that we will see her in the ring, and she responds by commenting how much she enjoys commentating on fights for Sky Sports. Jonas will consider retirement now!
Lauren Price dominates Natasha Jonas by unanimous decision (98-93, 100-90, 98-92) to become the WBA, IBF, and WBC welterweight world champiobn
We head into the final round, Price has won every round so far.
Jonas needs a knockout to win, nothing else will suffice. But Price's feet are still fast and her reflexes are sharp. She is outlanding and outboxing Jonas even in the final round, as she has done all throughout this fight.
Three-punch combination connects for Price in the final forty seconds. Both women are letting their hands go but it's too late for Jonas, as Price looks to finish strong as well. Left hand lands for Jonas!
10-9 Price, 100-90 Price
Sharp left hand counter lands for Price in the second minute. Jonas attempts to respond, but Price makes her miss and counters with a right hand.
Right hook from Price partially lands. STIFF jab connects for the Welshwoman at the end of the ninth.
10-9 Price, 90-81 Price
Jonas was told in the corner in between rounds 7 and 8 that she needs to start letting her hands go. She's lost every round up to now.
Jab-left hand-right hook to the body connects for Price. Jonas is still unable to close the distance and let her hands go, but her feet aren't as fast as Price, and neither are her hands.
10-9 Price, 80-72 Price
Price's left hand-right hook and single right hook shots have landed all night long. Jonas hasn't been able to find a response to those attacks. Sharp right hook breaks Jonas' guard in the final thirty seconds; this is looking very easy for Price.
10-9 Price, 70-63 Price
Right hands for Price get through in the center of the ring. Jonas is trying to get up close, but Price is countering and moving away. Left hand to the body lands for Price. Dominant for the Welshwoman through six!
10-9 Price, 60-54 Price
Sharp shots landing for Price at mid-range. Jonas has come off second-best in every round so far, and that doesn't look like it will change anytime soon.
Jonas, 40, is unable to compete with the speed of Price, She gets caught with a left hand from Price at the end of the fifth.
10-9 Price, 50-45 Price
Price is dominating proceedings at long range, she is far too sharp for Jonas even in round four. Jonas is at the end of long, straight punches.
Price controlling the fourth with her right-hand jab. Jonas is struggling to land anything meaningful.
10-9 Price, 40-36 Price
Left hand-right hook for Price connects on Jonas' chin. The Liverpudlian has got to get out of the way of Price's power punches.
Jonas swings and misses with a right hook. Right hook partially connects for Jonas, she tried to catch Price as Price was coming into range.
It could be another Price round!
10-9 Price, 30-27 Price
Price looks more comfortable early in this fight; she's boxing with her lead hand low.
Counter right hook for Jonas connects on the inside. Left hand lands for Price, eventually followed by a combination. Jonas has to do more to match Price's volume.
Left hand misses for Jonas as we enter the final minute. Price looking for the right hook again. Double left hand lands for Price to the body and head.
10-9 Price, 20-18 Price
It's the battle of the southpaws!
It's Lauren Price with the first connect of the fight, landing a right hand at the end of her combination, which forced Jonas back in the first minute of the opener.
Price tripled up with the jab and attempted the left hand, missing with every punch. Right hook connects for Jonas downstairs.
Right hook for Price on the inside. Jonas struggling with the speed of Price.
10-9 Price
𝐌𝐢𝐬𝐬 𝐆𝐁 👑@TashaJonas is READY for this massive main-event 🥊#JonasPrice | Mar 7 | @RoyalAlbertHall | @SkySportsBoxing | #IWD2025 #AccelerateAction pic.twitter.com/VkBWIJJGZI
— BOXXER (@boxxer) March 7, 2025
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐮𝐜𝐤𝐲 𝐎𝐧𝐞 🏴@LLPrice94 makes her way into arena ahead of this era defining clash 🔥#JonasPrice | Mar 7 | @RoyalAlbertHall | @SkySportsBoxing | #IWD2025 #AccelerateAction pic.twitter.com/dZQKAgs28f
— BOXXER (@boxxer) March 7, 2025
A reminder of the last message Jonas and Price had for each other ahead of tonight's fight... 🗣️🏴 @TashaJonas v @LLPrice94 🏴📲 LIVE text on the @BBCSport website/app📻 Listen LIVE on @5liveSport & @BBCSounds#BBCBoxing #JonasPrice @boxxer pic.twitter.com/krdQYpR98c
— BBC Sport Wales (@BBCSportWales) March 7, 2025
"My head says Lauren Price, my heart says Tasha Jonas!" 💥WBC champion Skye Nicolson gives her predictions for the night 🙌#JonasPrice | Today | Live on Sky Sports pic.twitter.com/w5uLzXUNil
— Sky Sports Boxing (@SkySportsBoxing) March 7, 2025
WOW! Both Dubois and Shin giving it EVERYTHING in the final round! 💥#JonasPrice | LIVE NOW on Sky Sports pic.twitter.com/CFaTq0on7p
— Sky Sports Boxing (@SkySportsBoxing) March 7, 2025
Caroline Dubois-Beatriz Ferreira is the ONLY fight to make next. There's no other fight in the division for either women.
— EverythingBoxing (@EverythingBoxi2) March 7, 2025
Natasha Jonas and Lauren Price battle in an all-British unification clash for the IBF, WBC and WBA welterweight titles in the main event of an all-women's card, just one day before International Women's Day.
Jonas (16-2-1, 9 KOs), Uncrowned's No. 6 pound-for-pound women's boxer in the world, is a two-division world champion. She previously held the WBC, IBF, and WBO super welterweight titles from 2022-23. In 2023, she moved down to welterweight and won the IBF crown. This past December, Jonas unified the division, taking Ivana Habazin's WBC belt.
Price (8-0, 2 KOs), a 2024 Olympic gold medallist, won the WBA welterweight title this past May with a technical decision over Jessica McCaskill. The Welshwoman has made one defense of her title, a third-round TKO win over Bexcy Mateus.
Caroline Dubois edges Bo Mi Re Shin by majority decision (95-95, 98-93, 98-92) to retain her WBC lightweight world title.
Natasha Jonas was asked if this is the last time that we will see her in the ring, and she responds by commenting how much she enjoys commentating on fights for Sky Sports. Jonas will consider retirement now!
Lauren Price dominates Natasha Jonas by unanimous decision (98-93, 100-90, 98-92) to become the WBA, IBF, and WBC welterweight world champiobn
We head into the final round, Price has won every round so far.
Jonas needs a knockout to win, nothing else will suffice. But Price's feet are still fast and her reflexes are sharp. She is outlanding and outboxing Jonas even in the final round, as she has done all throughout this fight.
Three-punch combination connects for Price in the final forty seconds. Both women are letting their hands go but it's too late for Jonas, as Price looks to finish strong as well. Left hand lands for Jonas!
10-9 Price, 100-90 Price
Sharp left hand counter lands for Price in the second minute. Jonas attempts to respond, but Price makes her miss and counters with a right hand.
Right hook from Price partially lands. STIFF jab connects for the Welshwoman at the end of the ninth.
10-9 Price, 90-81 Price
Jonas was told in the corner in between rounds 7 and 8 that she needs to start letting her hands go. She's lost every round up to now.
Jab-left hand-right hook to the body connects for Price. Jonas is still unable to close the distance and let her hands go, but her feet aren't as fast as Price, and neither are her hands.
10-9 Price, 80-72 Price
Price's left hand-right hook and single right hook shots have landed all night long. Jonas hasn't been able to find a response to those attacks. Sharp right hook breaks Jonas' guard in the final thirty seconds; this is looking very easy for Price.
10-9 Price, 70-63 Price
Right hands for Price get through in the center of the ring. Jonas is trying to get up close, but Price is countering and moving away. Left hand to the body lands for Price. Dominant for the Welshwoman through six!
10-9 Price, 60-54 Price
Sharp shots landing for Price at mid-range. Jonas has come off second-best in every round so far, and that doesn't look like it will change anytime soon.
Jonas, 40, is unable to compete with the speed of Price, She gets caught with a left hand from Price at the end of the fifth.
10-9 Price, 50-45 Price
Price is dominating proceedings at long range, she is far too sharp for Jonas even in round four. Jonas is at the end of long, straight punches.
Price controlling the fourth with her right-hand jab. Jonas is struggling to land anything meaningful.
10-9 Price, 40-36 Price
Left hand-right hook for Price connects on Jonas' chin. The Liverpudlian has got to get out of the way of Price's power punches.
Jonas swings and misses with a right hook. Right hook partially connects for Jonas, she tried to catch Price as Price was coming into range.
It could be another Price round!
10-9 Price, 30-27 Price
Price looks more comfortable early in this fight; she's boxing with her lead hand low.
Counter right hook for Jonas connects on the inside. Left hand lands for Price, eventually followed by a combination. Jonas has to do more to match Price's volume.
Left hand misses for Jonas as we enter the final minute. Price looking for the right hook again. Double left hand lands for Price to the body and head.
10-9 Price, 20-18 Price
It's the battle of the southpaws!
It's Lauren Price with the first connect of the fight, landing a right hand at the end of her combination, which forced Jonas back in the first minute of the opener.
Price tripled up with the jab and attempted the left hand, missing with every punch. Right hook connects for Jonas downstairs.
Right hook for Price on the inside. Jonas struggling with the speed of Price.
10-9 Price
𝐌𝐢𝐬𝐬 𝐆𝐁 👑@TashaJonas is READY for this massive main-event 🥊#JonasPrice | Mar 7 | @RoyalAlbertHall | @SkySportsBoxing | #IWD2025 #AccelerateAction pic.twitter.com/VkBWIJJGZI
— BOXXER (@boxxer) March 7, 2025
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐮𝐜𝐤𝐲 𝐎𝐧𝐞 🏴@LLPrice94 makes her way into arena ahead of this era defining clash 🔥#JonasPrice | Mar 7 | @RoyalAlbertHall | @SkySportsBoxing | #IWD2025 #AccelerateAction pic.twitter.com/dZQKAgs28f
— BOXXER (@boxxer) March 7, 2025
A reminder of the last message Jonas and Price had for each other ahead of tonight's fight... 🗣️🏴 @TashaJonas v @LLPrice94 🏴📲 LIVE text on the @BBCSport website/app📻 Listen LIVE on @5liveSport & @BBCSounds#BBCBoxing #JonasPrice @boxxer pic.twitter.com/krdQYpR98c
— BBC Sport Wales (@BBCSportWales) March 7, 2025
"My head says Lauren Price, my heart says Tasha Jonas!" 💥WBC champion Skye Nicolson gives her predictions for the night 🙌#JonasPrice | Today | Live on Sky Sports pic.twitter.com/w5uLzXUNil
— Sky Sports Boxing (@SkySportsBoxing) March 7, 2025
WOW! Both Dubois and Shin giving it EVERYTHING in the final round! 💥#JonasPrice | LIVE NOW on Sky Sports pic.twitter.com/CFaTq0on7p
— Sky Sports Boxing (@SkySportsBoxing) March 7, 2025
Caroline Dubois-Beatriz Ferreira is the ONLY fight to make next. There's no other fight in the division for either women.
— EverythingBoxing (@EverythingBoxi2) March 7, 2025
Natasha Jonas and Lauren Price battle in an all-British unification clash for the IBF, WBC and WBA welterweight titles in the main event of an all-women's card, just one day before International Women's Day.
Jonas (16-2-1, 9 KOs), Uncrowned's No. 6 pound-for-pound women's boxer in the world, is a two-division world champion. She previously held the WBC, IBF, and WBO super welterweight titles from 2022-23. In 2023, she moved down to welterweight and won the IBF crown. This past December, Jonas unified the division, taking Ivana Habazin's WBC belt.
Price (8-0, 2 KOs), a 2024 Olympic gold medallist, won the WBA welterweight title this past May with a technical decision over Jessica McCaskill. The Welshwoman has made one defense of her title, a third-round TKO win over Bexcy Mateus.
Caroline Dubois edges Bo Mi Re Shin by majority decision (95-95, 98-93, 98-92) to retain her WBC lightweight world title.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
India's rugby sevens venture tries to convert Olympic dreams to reality
India launches a rugby sevens league this weekend in a bold bid to win fans and bolster dreams of the Olympics in a country where cricket is king. The 34-match Rugby Premier League (RPL) will be staged for two weeks from Sunday in Mumbai and has attracted greats of the game such as the United States' try-scoring machine Perry Baker. "Is there space for a sport outside of cricket in India? 100 percent," Rugby India president Rahul Bose told AFP as he hopes to convert sports fans into following the fast-paced, short-form version of rugby union. The RPL is run by GMR Sports, which owns a team in the cricket T20 behemoth that is the Indian Premier League (IPL). It combines Indian rugby players in six franchise teams alongside 30 globally experienced teammates, including current World Rugby Sevens Series stars such as Australia's Maurice Longbottom and Fiji's Filipe Sauturaga. Coaches include former USA mentor Mike Friday, New Zealand legends Tomasi Cama and DJ Forbes, and England great Ben Gollings. Bose, a former India rugby international and successful Bollywood actor, has big dreams. "An Indian (rugby) team getting into the Olympics, whether it's men or women, is inevitable," Bose said. Bose believes it could happen within a decade. And that could mean an India team taking part in a home 2036 Olympics, which Prime Minister Narendra Modi has declared he wants to host. "There's a lot of money," Bose said, adding that the budget of the Mumbai-based national rugby federation had grown more than 30-fold. "There's a lot of opportunity." He is coy on precise funding, saying only that overseas stars in the RPL were being paid an "equitable" fee to what they receive in tournaments worldwide. - 'Dream come true' - India's overall record at the Olympics is poor, winning only 10 gold medals in its history. Cricket offers an obvious chance to increase that tally when it returns at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, but India is keen to be competitive in other sports. Fiji scrum-half Terio Tamani, who will play for Hyderabad Heroes, believes rugby could offer an opportunity. "They have facilities, they have money for them to develop," said Tamani, whose country won Olympic men's rugby gold in 2016, Fiji's first Olympic medal of any colour. India captain Prince Khatri, also of Hyderabad, said training and playing with marquee stars he had previously seen only on television was "a dream come true". "I'm learning a lot," he said. "This is just the beginning." RPL says it has talent scouts going countrywide to draw youngsters into six regional training centres. "That's the real gold dust," said ex-USA coach Friday, now training Kalinga Black Tigers. "Because ultimately the league will happen for 14 days but it's about what happens after in the other 11 months." Baker, a two-time World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year, said the league will help fast-track local players. "Having these top-calibre players around will help elevate them," the American said. - Long history, niche sport - Kiran Kumar Grandhi, chairman of GMR Sports, said having "world class" rugby in India will foster grassroots development. GMR has the experience. Part of a New Delhi-based conglomerate spanning airports and highways, GMR owns the IPL's Delhi Capitals and franchises in India's popular Pro Kabaddi League and Ultimate Kho Kho League. India is pushing for both of those tag-type sports to be included in the Olympics. Rugby has a long history in India, dating back to 1871 during British rule. That was when the glittering silver Calcutta Cup was created and it remains the oldest trophy contested between international rugby union teams, in this case England and Scotland. But rugby has remained a niche sport. The RPL's home at the 7,000-capacity Mumbai Football Arena is not even a dedicated rugby pitch. But RPL organisers believe that, just as the IPL saw ratings surge with the T20 transformation of cricket, it can woo fans and sponsors with a version of rugby where matches are over in a fast-and-furious 22 minutes. "The sport is just built for spectators and television," Bose said, adding he ambitiously hopes for 10 to 15 million people to tune in via broadcast giants Star Sports and JioStar. India's Arpan Chhetri, who will play for Bengaluru Bravehearts, said players are focused on one ambition. "Our target is to get into the Olympics," he said. "We will keep going until we succeed." bur-pjm/dh/pst
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
India's rugby sevens venture tries to convert Olympic dreams to reality
Hyderabad Heroes' players take part in a training session at the Cidco football ground in Kharghar, Navi Mumbai on June 7, 2025, ahead of India's Rugby Premier League (Punit PARANJPE) India launches a rugby sevens league this weekend in a bold bid to win fans and bolster dreams of the Olympics in a country where cricket is king. The 34-match Rugby Premier League (RPL) will be staged for two weeks from Sunday in Mumbai and has attracted greats of the game such as the United States' try-scoring machine Perry Baker. Advertisement "Is there space for a sport outside of cricket in India? 100 percent," Rugby India president Rahul Bose told AFP as he hopes to convert sports fans into following the fast-paced, short-form version of rugby union. The RPL is run by GMR Sports, which owns a team in the cricket T20 behemoth that is the Indian Premier League (IPL). It combines Indian rugby players in six franchise teams alongside 30 globally experienced teammates, including current World Rugby Sevens Series stars such as Australia's Maurice Longbottom and Fiji's Filipe Sauturaga. Coaches include former USA mentor Mike Friday, New Zealand legends Tomasi Cama and DJ Forbes, and England great Ben Gollings. Advertisement Bose, a former India rugby international and successful Bollywood actor, has big dreams. "An Indian (rugby) team getting into the Olympics, whether it's men or women, is inevitable," Bose said. Bose believes it could happen within a decade. And that could mean an India team taking part in a home 2036 Olympics, which Prime Minister Narendra Modi has declared he wants to host. "There's a lot of money," Bose said, adding that the budget of the Mumbai-based national rugby federation had grown more than 30-fold. "There's a lot of opportunity." He is coy on precise funding, saying only that overseas stars in the RPL were being paid an "equitable" fee to what they receive in tournaments worldwide. Advertisement - 'Dream come true' - India's overall record at the Olympics is poor, winning only 10 gold medals in its history. Cricket offers an obvious chance to increase that tally when it returns at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, but India is keen to be competitive in other sports. Fiji scrum-half Terio Tamani, who will play for Hyderabad Heroes, believes rugby could offer an opportunity. "They have facilities, they have money for them to develop," said Tamani, whose country won Olympic men's rugby gold in 2016, Fiji's first Olympic medal of any colour. India captain Prince Khatri, also of Hyderabad, said training and playing with marquee stars he had previously seen only on television was "a dream come true". Advertisement "I'm learning a lot," he said. "This is just the beginning." RPL says it has talent scouts going countrywide to draw youngsters into six regional training centres. "That's the real gold dust," said ex-USA coach Friday, now training Kalinga Black Tigers. "Because ultimately the league will happen for 14 days but it's about what happens after in the other 11 months." Baker, a two-time World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year, said the league will help fast-track local players. "Having these top-calibre players around will help elevate them," the American said. Advertisement - Long history, niche sport - Kiran Kumar Grandhi, chairman of GMR Sports, said having "world class" rugby in India will foster grassroots development. GMR has the experience. Part of a New Delhi-based conglomerate spanning airports and highways, GMR owns the IPL's Delhi Capitals and franchises in India's popular Pro Kabaddi League and Ultimate Kho Kho League. India is pushing for both of those tag-type sports to be included in the Olympics. Rugby has a long history in India, dating back to 1871 during British rule. That was when the glittering silver Calcutta Cup was created and it remains the oldest trophy contested between international rugby union teams, in this case England and Scotland. Advertisement But rugby has remained a niche sport. The RPL's home at the 7,000-capacity Mumbai Football Arena is not even a dedicated rugby pitch. But RPL organisers believe that, just as the IPL saw ratings surge with the T20 transformation of cricket, it can woo fans and sponsors with a version of rugby where matches are over in a fast-and-furious 22 minutes. "The sport is just built for spectators and television," Bose said, adding he ambitiously hopes for 10 to 15 million people to tune in via broadcast giants Star Sports and JioStar. India's Arpan Chhetri, who will play for Bengaluru Bravehearts, said players are focused on one ambition. "Our target is to get into the Olympics," he said. "We will keep going until we succeed." bur-pjm/dh/pst
Fox Sports
4 hours ago
- Fox Sports
Fiji names Salesi Rayasi for Wallabies and Scotland tests
Associated Press WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Former Super Rugby winger Salesi Rayasi has been named in Fiji's 32-man squad to play Australia and Scotland in rugby tests next month. The 28-year-old played six seasons in Super Rugby for the Wellington-based Hurricanes and now plays for Vannes in France's Top 14. He played for the New Zealand sevens team before switching nations to play for Fiji, following his father Felipe who played 13 test for Fiji in the 1990s. Australia's test against Fiji at Newcastle on July 6 will be the Wallabies' only warm-up for their three-test series against the British and Irish Lions. Fiji will then play Scotland in Suva on July 12. 'Both Australia and Scotland are established Tier One sides and we know the level we need to rise to,' Fiji head coach Mick Byrne said in naming his squad Wednesday. 'This squad reflects the depth and strength of Fiji rugby and we will give a performance that will make all Fijians proud.' The Fiji squad included 13 players who played for the Fijian Drua in Super Rugby this season and 10 players based in France. 'We've focused on combinations that give us both tactical adaptability and the trademark Fijian spirit,' Byrne said. 'We want to win but more importantly, we want to win playing our brand of rugby.' ___ Fiji squad: Forwards: Eroni Mawi, Luke Tagi, Haereiti Hetet, Mesake Doge, Peni Ravai, Tevita Ikanivere, Samuel Mativesi, Kavaia Tagivetaua, Isoa Nasilasila, Mesake Vocevoce, Temo Mayanavanua, Setareki Turagacoke, Viliame Mata, Elia Canakaivata, Lekima Tagitagivalu, Albert Tuisue, Etonia Waqa, Motikai Murray. Backs: Simione Kuruvoli, Philip Baselala, Sam Wye, Caleb Muntz, Isaia Armstrong-Ravula, Vilimoni Botitu, Josua Tuisova, Iosefo Masikau Baleiwairiki, Sireli Maqala, Kalaveti Ravouvou, Ponipate Loganimasi, Jiuta Wainiqolo, Selesitino Ravutaumada, Salesi Rayasi. ___ AP rugby: recommended in this topic
