LAUREN Price will make the first defence of her WBA welterweight world title when she faces unbeaten challenger Bexcy Mateus in Liverpool on December 14.
Olympic gold medalist Price beat former undisputed champion Jessica McCaskill to win the WBA belt in Cardiff in May, becoming Wales’ first female world champion in her seventh professional fight.
The 30-year-old from Ystrad Mynach will now take on Mateus in Merseyside on a bill that is topped by Natasha Jonas' IBF and WBC welterweight title unification against Ivana Habazin.
Price and Jonas could clash next year if they win, but they are tough fights.
Mateus, 29, is undefeated as a professional and has won six of her seven fights by knockout but will fight outside Colombia for the first time.
Price said: “I’m excited to be out defending my belts to finish what has been a big year for me. I have full respect for Mateus.
“I’ll prove I’m the best in the division and I won’t let anything, or anyone, stand in my way of becoming undisputed.”
Promoter Ben Shalom said: "If Natasha and Lauren both win on December 14, it will set the stage for a massive ‘Battle Of Britain’ world title unification match up next year.”
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