Blood & Guts: Lauren Price Beats Stephanie Pineiro In Cardiff

Blood & Guts: Lauren Price Beats Stephanie Pineiro In Cardiff

Lauren Price won a wide points decision in Cardiff on Saturday against the previously unbeaten Stephanie Pineiro. But that didn’t tell the whole story. Price finished the fight with blood pouring from her mouth and a damaged right eye. It was a real test for the former Olympic champion. She fought through adversity for the first time in her professional career, and it was a lot harder than many expected.

The judges scored it unanimously for Price. Scores of 99-91, 98-92, and 98-92 saw the hometown girl retain her WBC, WBA, and IBF world welterweight titles. Price moved to 10-0, and could be in line to face the current undisputed world heavyweight champion, Claressa Shields. The American was ringside in Wales, and they could fight later this year. Based on tonight, Shields would have liked what she saw.

After a competitive opening round, Price was in control until the blood started oozing from her mouth around the halfway point. The Puerto Rican found success. But not enough of it. Price was good, boxing on the retreat and using her quickness to pick off Pineiro as she advanced. Pineiro looked badly hurt in the second round. She looked unsteady at the bell. The bell came at the right moment for her, but she recovered to make it the toughest night in the ten-fight career of Price. Despite the brilliance of Price at times, I do see it as somewhat of a missed opportunity for the challenger. If she had gambled a little more, then it might have got far more interesting. I do think there was a little more left in the tank. But Price was a deserving winner and will look to secure a big fight for later this year. But despite the lopsided manner of the scores, it was still a hard night’s work for the winner. A tough night. But a winning one. And she moves on.

Price will now get married and then wait for what is next for her. A fight with the WBO champion Mikaela Mayer looks unlikely at the moment. Despite the presence of Shields in Cardiff, a fight with Mayer for undisputed status at 147 is still the fight to make.

Photo Credit: Chris Dean/Boxxer