What Natasha Jonas and Lauren Price said in ring speaks volumes as unification announcement teased

Natasha Jonas outclassed Ivana Habazin before starting a war of words with Lauren Price as a huge unification showdown between the pair moved a step closer. Returning to the ring for the first time since January, Jonas produced a disciplined and well-measured display against Habazin to claim the WBC welterweight title at the Exhibition Centre on Saturday night.

The victory, which came via unanimous decision following 10 rounds of boxing, also ensured the 40-year-old retained her IBF crown and meant a huge domestic dust-up against Price can now be made. And no sooner had Jonas had her arm raised in the ring, she was joined by Price, who had earlier retained her WBA welterweight title by stopping Bexcy Mateus in devastating fashion in the third round of their contest.

And after some fairly respectful initial responses to questions about a future fight, Jonas hit Price with a warning, saying: "Be careful what you wish for, be careful what you ask for and I’ll be there."

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To which Price replied: "Too young, too quick, too good.” The two continued to throw verbal jabs at each other as Jonas claimed her Welsh rival only won an Olympic gold medal because all the 'good people' had left the amateur scene.

In a press conference after the show concluded, Price claimed that Jonas does not wish to fight her but also admitted that a bout against 'Miss GB' would be the toughest test of her career.

"If it was down to me tonight, I wanted Jonas tonight, I wanted that fight tonight and to be fighting for another belt," she said.

"I know she doesn't want to fight me, but she doesn't have another choice in the next one. Each fight I've stepped up - went in with Jessica McCaskill, she was supposed to be the best in the division, and I didn't drop a round.

"Full respect for Tash, but I'm in my prime, too quick, too fit and I believe I will win. She probably will be my toughest test, I just think I'm better.

"She said be careful what you wish for. I had to come back with something. No disrespect to Terri Harper, but I'm levels above that, and she'll find that out next year.

"I just want to win, I don't have anything personal against anybody, I want to create a legacy and win world titles.

“I want to create greatness. You see what Katie Taylor has done for Ireland, I want to do that for Wales. I want to sell out stadiums, and I have the whole of Wales behind me. I'm young, motivated, driven, in my prime; that's the biggest motivating factor."

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Firmly cemented as one of Liverpool’s greatest ever fighters, Jonas, speaking in her own press conference, welcomed the showdown against Price but also underlined her belief that there were greater options for her.

"I thought there were bigger fights out there for me, Ben (Shalom) and Lauren (Price) seem to think differently," she said.

“There are fights that will satisfy me. There are other fights in the way, so you have to do the ones in your way to do the ones you want.

“The drive and determination [is what keeps me going]. That helps me fulfil what I think is my destiny within this sport before I do finally listen to Joe.”

Addressing the comments she made to Price in the ring, Jonas said: “I don’t think you can outwit a Scouser. She tried to say a few funny things, so I said a few funny things back.”

An official announcement confirming the fight is expected in the next few days, as Boxxer chief Ben Shalom teased: "Jonas deserved a unification tonight, but they both agreed to fight next, and it will be announced in the next few days.

"I don't think Lauren has lost a round in professional boxing, and Natasha, what she's done with us, it sets up an enormous British all-female fight. May the best woman win."