Greatness Meets Greatness: Lauren Price Retains Titles as Shields Super-Fight Looms

The landscape of women's professional boxing shifted significantly this past weekend in Cardiff, as the "Awaken the Dragon" event, hosted by BOXXER, delivered a night of elite technical skill and grit. At the heart of the action was Wales’ own Olympic gold medalist, Lauren Price (31), who successfully defended her unified WBA, WBC, and IBF world welterweight titles against a resilient Stephanie Pineiro. However, as the footage shared by Claressa Shields suggests, the real battle may have only just begun. Price Passes the Blood and Guts Test Lauren Price (now 11-0) faced a grueling challenge from the mandatory challenger Stephanie Pineiro. For ten rounds, Price showcased the elite footwork and lightning-fast hand speed that have become her trademark. Despite a severe cut to her lip in the fourth round that left her white kit stained with blood, Price remained composed. The judges’ scorecards—98-92, 98-92, and 99-91—reflected her technical dominance. In her post-fight interview, Price was clinical but ambitious: "I want to fight the best. We all need a dancing partner, and I’m ready for mine." "Champions Recognize Champions" That "dancing partner" was watching from mere feet away. Claressa Shields (15-0), the 31-year-old multi-division undisputed champion, entered the ring following the main event for a high-voltage face-off. In the video shared on Shields' social media, the mutual respect was evident as she captioned the meeting: "Greatness meets greatness. Proud to share the stage with another Olympic champion." The tension was palpable as the two world-beaters stood center stage. Shields, who has dominated weight classes from super-welterweight to heavyweight, acknowledged Price's rise, noting, "Champions recognize champions." Most tellingly, Shields concluded her post with the phrase "When the time comes..."—a clear signal that negotiations for a 160lb middleweight super-fight are gathering pace for the end of the year. Undercard Drama: Edwards and Powar Battle to a Stalemate The Cardiff crowd was also treated to a technical thriller on the undercard as Rhys Edwards and Gully Powar battled for the WBA Intercontinental Featherweight Title. In a high-octane 12-round contest that pushed both men to their limits, the fight ended in a Majority Draw. While one judge favored Powar at 115-114, the remaining two scorecards were deadlocked at 114-114. The result leaves the title vacant and sets the stage for a highly anticipated rematch between two of Britain's brightest featherweight prospects. As the dust settles on the Utilita Arena, the momentum for Price vs. Shields feels unstoppable. With the backing of BOXXER and the BBC, this potential clash isn't just a fight—it’s a defining moment for the sport. Photo ai generated

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