Jessica McCaskill will travel to Cardiff, Wales, to defend her WBA welterweight title against Lauren Price on May 11, promoter Boxxer announced on Wednesday. The fight at the Utilita Arena will be streamed live on Peacock in the USA.
McCaskill (12-3-1, 5 KOs), of Chicago, is a two-division champion. She won the WBC junior welterweight belt by defeating Erica Anabella Farias in 2018 and then added the WBA title with a decision win over Anahi Sanchez in May 2019. A year later she became undisputed welterweight champion by defeating Cecilia Braekhus and made three successful defenses. McCaskill moved down in weight in 2022 to challenge undisputed junior welterweight champion Chantelle Cameron and lost a unanimous decision. In her most recent fight in September, McCaskill fought to a split draw against Sandy Ryan.
"I don't know much about Price but when it comes to fighters from the UK the expectation is usually lots of back pedaling and holding," McCaskill said via news release. "I don't know if this will be the case but coming to Wales means Price is hopefully going to want to put on a good show. That's exactly what I want because I plan on doing the same. I'm here to steal all of her fans. I'm going to show her what it takes to be a champion and the belts will be coming back to America with me."
Price (6-0, 1 KO), who grew up in Newport, just miles from Cardiff, is the first boxer from Wales to win an Olympic medal. She turned professional in June 2022, and she fought four times last year, including a decision win over former title challenger Silvia Bortot in December. Price, who hasn't fought in Wales since she started in boxing, is happy to be fighting in front of friends and family, but knows she is the challenger to a great champion.
"It'll be an incredible night for sure, to beat the reigning champion in Wales and keep the world titles here will be some feeling," Price said. "Jessica McCaskill is the current champion. She's game, experienced and strong but I'll be 100 percent ready for whatever she brings on the night. I believe in my ability. I back myself and like I said earlier, I can't wait to bring those world titles back home to Wales."
The winner of the fight will in position to unify titles with IBF champion Natasha Jonas, who's also promoted by Boxxer. Sandy Ryan holds the WBO title in the division.