The short version
- Lauren Price will defend her unified welterweight titles against Michaela Kotaskova on November 20 at Cardiff's Utilita Arena.
- The match marks Price's return to the venue where she previously secured a victory over Stephanie Pineiro Aquino earlier this year.
- Kotaskova enters the fight undefeated at welterweight but carries a recent loss in a higher weight class against Chantelle Cameron.
Unified world champion Lauren Price has confirmed she will defend her welterweight titles on November 20, returning to the Utilita Arena in Cardiff for a high-profile bout. The event represents another significant moment for the Welsh fighter, who previously utilized this venue to successfully protect her IBF, WBA, and WBC belts earlier this year. This upcoming contest will be broadcast live on BBC Two and available via BBC iPlayer, ensuring free-to-air access for viewers across the United Kingdom.
Price, a 32-year-old southpaw from Bargoed, faces Michaela Kotaskova, a 34-year-old challenger from the Czech Republic. The matchup pits Price’s established dominance in the division against Kotaskova’s ambition to secure the biggest victory of her professional career. While Price holds the unified titles, Kotaskova currently possesses the WBF belt, adding another layer of prestige to the evening’s proceedings.
The promoter for the event, Ben Shalom, emphasized the significance of bringing Price back to Wales, noting that she remains one of the most prominent figures in British boxing. He highlighted that while Kotaskova presents a formidable challenge, Price is driven by a desire to cement her legacy through continued high-level performances. The decision to stage the fight in Cardiff leverages the strong local support base that has consistently energized Price’s previous defenses.
Kotaskova brings a record of 15 professional fights with only one defeat to the ring. Her sole loss occurred in April 2026, when she faced Chantelle Cameron for the vacant WBO super-welterweight title and lost on points. That bout took place at a higher weight class than her natural division. Kotaskova has returned to welterweight, where she remains undefeated, asserting that this is her optimal competitive environment.
Price’s path to this defense included a rigorous test in April against mandatory challenger Stephanie Pineiro Aquino. That fight required significant effort from the Welsh champion, who managed to secure a hard-fought victory to retain her belts. The experience of defending at home has been a recurring theme in Price’s recent career, with the Cardiff atmosphere cited by the fighter as a key advantage.
Both competitors have expressed confidence in their respective positions. Price stated that she believes she is the premier welterweight globally and intends to demonstrate this superiority on November 20. She acknowledged Kotaskova’s toughness and experience but maintained that her own preparation has been extensive. The former Olympic champion emphasized her commitment to delivering a memorable performance for her home crowd.
Kotaskova, conversely, framed the challenge as an opportunity to make history. She expressed respect for Price’s achievements but insisted that her goal is to capture the titles. The Czech fighter noted that walking into an arena filled with Price’s supporters serves as additional motivation rather than a deterrent. Her strategy relies on leveraging her undefeated status at welterweight to upset the established champion.
The broadcast arrangement underscores the event’s profile within the UK sports landscape. Graham Davies, managing editor for Sport at BBC Cymru Wales, described Price’s journey from Olympic success to unified world championship as remarkable. The network aims to provide audiences with an engaging chapter in her career, highlighting the accessibility of world-class boxing through public broadcasting.
Supporting bouts on the undercard include a contest between Welsh featherweight Rhys Edwards and Scotland’s Lee McGregor for the WBA continental title. McGregor holds former British, Commonwealth, and European championship credentials. Additionally, unbeaten Cardiff middleweight Kyran Jones is scheduled to face Liverpool’s Sean Arkwright, aiming to extend his perfect professional record.
As November 20 approaches, attention will focus on whether Price can replicate her earlier success in Cardiff or if Kotaskova’s return to her natural weight class will disrupt the champion’s momentum. The outcome will have implications for the hierarchy of the welterweight division and the trajectory of both fighters’ careers.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- BBC Sport↗Price to defend world titles against Kotaskova on BBC
