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Olympic gold medalist Lauren Price advanced to the first round of eight of her professional career against Naomi Mannes tonight in Paris.
Price had top class preparation for the contest, with her partner, and fellow Olympic medalist, Karriss Artingstall providing the final spar.
“He used to be easy for me. He always tried to hit me with cheap shots!” Price laughed.
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Lauren Price says she is getting used to the pressure of being the favorite ahead of her fight against Naomi Mannes in Paris
But he noted: “We know how to help each other. For him, he doesn’t want me to be easy on him and vice versa. We just help each other. Good spare.”
Price will fight Mannes on the undercard of the Tony Yoka vs. Carlos Takam heavyweight bout in Paris on Saturday, live on Sky Sports.
Tokyo bronze medalist Artingstall is not the only elite sparring partner who has put a price on this fight. GB boxer Cindy Ngamba and Commonwealth Games gold medalist Rosie Eccles have given it a tough round.
“Two from the top, the top girls in Britain. For me, I’m Cindy, she’s at the top. She’s sparring Savannah [Marshall] when he had a fight to come up with [Claressa] shield. I think he will be the next one,” Price said Sky Sports.
“Obviously you have Rose, she doesn’t stop. A hundred miles an hour, got a tank of gas. I’ve done some good laps with her. fitness is there because she doesn’t stop.”
In fact, Price knows that Mannes is, objectively, fitter, faster and stronger than ever.
Price and Mannes both made weight for the 147lb contest
“I have also dialed my number,” she said. “I like to pass PB, in 1k and all running, whether I run eight-two or a few miles. So whatever number I get, I get a good number, I know I’m in a good place.
“When I know the numbers are there and have been checked, the mental side kicks in.
“I’ve obviously done all the hard work. It’s just a mental thing then, just going out and doing it and putting it on the show.”
Having more rounds to work with should give Price more opportunities to showcase the skills that have made him the most successful amateur boxer in Welsh boxing history. He won Olympic, World, European and Commonwealth gold medals in his impressive GB career.
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Saturday, March 11, 7:30 p.m
“I feel like the rounds keep getting better, pick better shots and if you look at it, it’s only an additional four minutes out of six rounds. Two minutes are flying by,” said Price ahead of his first eight rounds. .
“I can use boxing and just see how the fight goes and go from there really. Eight rounds I’m looking forward to raising up.
“He also improved as an opponent and obviously I think the better the opponent, the better I will perform as well.”
He is adapting to professional boxing and is looking forward to facing an opponent who is determined to get angry.
Artingstall, who boxed on March 25 himself, has supported and helped Price throughout
“I know he will come full force and want to win. He’s got nothing to lose,” Price said. “He’s a bit of a boxer.”
But he added: “I can box, I can tear up and if I have to dig deep, I will dig deep.
“I’ve found all the styles I can do all over the world,” Price said. “It’s nothing new to me, whatever it brings.”
Watch Lauren Price on the Tony Yoka vs Carlos Takam bill live on Sky Sports from 7.30pm
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