Natasha Jonas confirms Lauren Price agreement as Katie Taylor wish explained

Natasha Jonas has revealed she has agreed a deal to fight Lauren Price - but admits she would love another crack at Katie Taylor. Jonas and Price both feature on the same card at the Exhibition Centre on Saturday night as they defend their respective world titles.

Jonas, who is returning to the ring for the first time since January, takes on Ivana Habazin with both the IBF and WBC welterweight crowns on the line. Price, meanwhile, will defend the WBA welterweight title she won against Jessica McCaskill in May against Bexcy Mateusown.

It has long been suggested that both fighters are set to meet in a huge domestic showdown next year, and now Jonas has confirmed that a deal has been agreed. Asked directly by the ECHO about a possible fight with Price next year, Jonas replied: “I have signed for a Lauren Price fight. That is a contracted fight. We have agreed.”

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Jonas last fought when she retained her IBF welterweight crown after a narrow split-decision victory against American Mikaela Mayer at the M&S Bank Arena. And she and Taylor famously collided at the 2012 London Olympics when the 'Bray Bomber' defeated 'Miss GB' in their lightweight quarter-final on her way to winning gold.

The 38-year-old also defeated Jonas in the professional ranks after recording a hard-fought victory over the Liverpool native in Manchester back in 2021. However, that fight at the Manchester Arena took place without spectators present due to Covid-19.

“I think it is a fight that deserves a crowd," Jonas said. "There are a lot of stepping stones which I have to get through to get to the fight but I think that would leave me at peace with boxing.

“I think it would be a headliner in itself. I think we fought on the Chisora vs Parker undercard. We don't need anyone above us for that. It is a headliner in itself.”

Despite being a long-term rival of Taylor’s, Jonas does admit, however, that fights like her last against Amanda Serrano are what motivate her to get out of bed.

“Once Katie Taylor opened that door I think we followed,” she said. “The platforms like Sky, DAZN, TNT, and Channel 5 have insisted on having female fight representation.

“That was a big movement because visibility is key in any sport. I think the Olympics have proved that for females.

“It is a big thing to look back and be proud of but we have still got big nights and big fights left to go and it is heading in the right direction.

“Fights like Serrano and Taylor actually motivate me because I woke up the next morning because they break down so many barriers and so many doors.”