Price rules out Shields but hints at big showdown

Lauren Price will fight Michaela Kotaskova in Cardiff in November with "exciting" plans for early 2027, but rules out facing American star Claressa Shields. Claressa Shields won Olympic gold in 2012 and 2016 while Lauren Price triumphed in 2020 Lauren Price is eyeing a fight that will be "massive for world boxing" if she can overcome Michaela Kotaskova next month – but has ruled out facing Claressa Shields for now. Olympic gold medallist Price will put her unified WBA, WBC and IBF welterweight titles on the line when she fights the Czech at Cardiff's Utilita Arena on 20 November. The bout, which will be shown live on the BBC, will be Price's first since a gruelling title defence against Stephanie Pineiro in April, which had undisputed heavyweight champion Shields watching on in attendance.

It had been thought the pair would meet at middleweight but Price says talks broke down. Boxing champion Lauren Price and partner wed in 'best day of our lives' That prompted her to switch attention to 34-year-old Kotaskova – with the potential of a major showdown early in 2027. "There had been talks going back and forth with some big fights, but I wanted to get out before the end of the year," said Price. "There's obviously been talks of the big fights after that. I know