Lauren Price

1. Overview

Lauren Louise Price, born on June 25, 1994, is a distinguished Welsh professional boxer, a former amateur boxer, and a former kickboxer and footballer. Hailing from Newport, Wales, Price has carved out a pioneering career in women's sports, marked by significant achievements across multiple disciplines. She is recognized for her historic accomplishments in boxing, including becoming the first Welsh boxer of any gender to win an Olympic gold medal at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. Price has also made a notable impact in professional boxing, where she holds the WBA, IBO, and 'The Ring' female welterweight World titles since May 11, 2024. Her career is a testament to her versatility and dedication, transitioning from a successful football career, where she captained the Wales under-19 team and played for Cardiff City, to achieving unparalleled success in boxing.

2. Early Life and Background

Lauren Price was born in Newport, Wales, on June 25, 1994, and grew up in Ystrad Mynach, within the Caerphilly County Borough. She was raised by her grandparents and attended Heolddu Comprehensive School in Bargoed. From a young age, Price displayed a keen interest in a variety of sports. At the age of ten, she began playing football and netball, and also took up kickboxing following encouragement from her grandfather.

Her early foray into kickboxing proved highly successful. At just 13 years old, Price competed in a World Championships event in Athens in 2007, where she secured a silver medal, notably competing against opponents twice her age. She also became the youngest ever competitor in the British Championships. Her kickboxing career further flourished, leading her to become a four-time world champion and a six-time European champion in the sport. Price later expanded her athletic pursuits to include Taekwondo.

3. Sports Career

Lauren Price's athletic journey is characterized by her remarkable versatility and dedication, allowing her to transition seamlessly between different sports and achieve elite status in each. Her career began with significant success in football before she fully committed to boxing, where she would go on to make history.

3.2. Amateur Boxing Career

Lauren Price initially took up boxing as a teenager, but her commitment to the sport significantly deepened after witnessing British boxer Nicola Adams win a gold medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. At the age of 17, after competing in just one amateur bout, she entered the Women's European and Youth World Championships, where she earned a bronze medal.

Her amateur boxing career was marked by consistent success and historic achievements, culminating in an Olympic gold medal.

3.2.1. Major Tournament Achievements

Price's amateur career saw her achieve significant success across various international tournaments. At the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, she made history by becoming the first Welsh woman to claim a boxing medal at the Commonwealth Games, securing a bronze after defeating Kaye Scott in the quarter-finals of the women's middleweight division. She advanced to the semi-final but suffered a split decision defeat to Ariane Fortin.

She continued to build on her success, earning another bronze medal at the 2016 Women's European Amateur Boxing Championships. In 2018, Price surpassed her previous Commonwealth Games achievement by winning a gold medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, defeating Caitlin Parker via split decision in the final of the middleweight event. In May 2019, she was selected to compete at the 2019 European Games in Minsk, Belarus, where she secured another gold medal. Later that year, she claimed a gold medal at the 2019 AIBA Women's World Boxing Championships in Ulan-Ude, adding to a bronze medal she had won at the 2018 AIBA Women's World Boxing Championships in New Delhi. Between 2019 and 2021, Price simultaneously held the Olympic, World, European Games, and Commonwealth Games titles at middleweight, with the European Championship (distinct from the European Games) being the only major title that eluded her, despite winning three bronze medals in that competition.

3.2.2. 2020 Tokyo Olympics Gold Medal

Lauren Price's most significant amateur achievement came at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, which were held in 2021 due to the global pandemic. Competing in the women's middleweight category, she advanced through the rounds, notably defeating Dutch boxer Nouchka Fontijn in the semi-final. In the gold medal match, Price faced Li Qian of China and emerged victorious, securing the gold medal. This historic win made her the first Welsh boxer, male or female, to ever win an Olympic gold medal, cementing her legacy as a trailblazer in Welsh boxing and women's sports.

4. Personal Life and Honours

Lauren Price's life outside the ring includes academic pursuits and significant personal recognition. She studied a Foundation Degree in Football Coaching and Development at the University of South Wales.

For her outstanding services to boxing, Price was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2022 New Year Honours. In her personal life, Lauren Price is in a relationship with fellow professional boxer Karriss Artingstall, who competes in the featherweight division and is also a southpaw.

5. Awards

Throughout her multi-faceted career, Lauren Price has received numerous accolades for her athletic achievements:

• Cardiff City**
  • Welsh Premier Women's Football League: 2012-13
• Individual**
  • FAW Club Player of the Year: 2013
  • BBC Cymru Wales Sports Personality of the Year: 2021

6. Professional Boxing Record