Price set for two-fight deal with Shields

Lauren Price is expected to return to action this summer before signing a two-fight deal to face fellow Olympic champion Claressa Shields, according to promoter Ben Shalom.

Price, 31, maintained her unbeaten professional record with a unanimous points victory over Stephanie Pineiro in Cardiff on Saturday night.

The Welsh star is set to face an as yet unnamed opponent in August, potentially in the Welsh capital, before a blockbuster double-header with Shields - who was in attendance for Price's bout with Pineiro at Utilita Arena.

Asked when the duo could face off, Shalom told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast: "Once in the US, and then hopefully once where we can come to either Cardiff City Stadium or the castle (Cardiff Castle) and do that in June next year because I think she's selling out that arena (Utilita Arena) too fast at the moment.

"She needs somewhere bigger."

Media caption,

Price eyes potential Shields trilogy

Multi-weight undisputed champion Shields is current undisputed heavyweight champion.

But Shalom confirmed the bouts between the American and Price would likely be at middleweight.

"I would say Lauren's most natural weight, her best weight, is the middleweight division," he explained.

"Claressa will have to come down to the middleweight division, but that's a weight she's done her best work at.

"So, in fact, it's a perfect match for both of them."

Shalom first visited Cardiff when Chris Eubank Jr secured a convincing points win over Welshman Liam Williams in February 2022.

And the Boxxer founder hailed the Cardiff crowd for the backing they once again showed Price as she defeated Pineiro to stretch her unbeaten pro record to 10-0.

"Coming to Cardiff, I came for the first time in 2022, it was Liam Williams against Chris Eubank Jr in that very arena and the atmosphere was absolutely incredible," he added.

"Since then, we've been back a couple of times with Lauren Price.

"There's nowhere like it in British boxing, the way the fans get behind their own, particularly Lauren Price, her fanbase is just incredible. It was a special night."