A new queen will be crowned as an astonishing 114-year wait finally comes to an end on Saturday, May 6th when Lauren Price and Kirstie Bavington become the first pro women boxers in history to compete for the inaugural British female championship and a coveted Lonsdale Belt. Introduced in 1909 and named in honour of Lord Lonsdale, the great patron of British boxing, the British championship belt (pictured) was created as a prize to be awarded to the domestic champions across the various weight classes. When the British Board of Boxing Control was formed in 1929, it took over governance of the British championship and Lonsdale belt, which remained available only to male boxers – until now.

 

Equality for women’s sport will rightfully shine through in what is a huge, landmark moment in just three weeks time when 2021 Olympic champion  Lauren Price MBE (3-0, 1 KO) meets former European welterweight champion Kirstie Bavington (7-3-2, 2 KOs) live and exclusively on Sky Sports in the UK & Republic of Ireland. The newest addition to the Lonsdale Belt pantheon will keep the same traditional format – including the iconic portrait of Lord Lonsdale – but will have a different ribbon color. 

 

Price will be keen to get her hands on it first. The Welsh wonder was the first sportswoman to receive her MBE honour from King Charles III following his accession to the throne last November and she is arguably the most decorated amateur to hail from these shores. Since turning professional in 2022, the former Wales international footballer has been victorious in three contests, including February’s impressive victory in Paris, France, over Naomi Mannes – who Bavington defeated for the European title in November 2022.

 

Price made history last October at the momentous all-female Boxxer card in London when she stopped Timea Belik in front of a sold-out crowd of 18,000 fans at The O2 and a live television audience of over two million viewers – a record audience for a live women’s sporting event on Sky Sports. 

 

Fittingly, her historic bout with Bavington will take place in Birmingham, England on the day King Charles III is officially crowned – the first British championship belts were made in the Birmingham workshops of 250-year-old jeweller Mapin & Webb, which is also responsible for the Crown Jewels that will be used in King Charles III’s coronation ceremony.