Lauren Price recalls driving taxis to fund her career, growing up with her grandparents, winning Olympic gold and transitioning from football to boxing as she eyes first world title on home soil

In the heart of Wales, anticipation builds as Lauren Price gears up for a momentous weekend. Having secured an Olympic gold medal and been honoured with an MBE, Price stands on the cusp of a new milestone: her first world title. 

From her upbringing under the guidance of her grandparents to her transition from representing Wales in football to dominating the boxing ring, Price's journey has been nothing short of remarkable. 

Now, as she prepares to step into the ring this weekend, she sets her sights on not just winning the IBO, WBA and Ring Magazine welterweight titles but entertaining her home fans, making her grandparents proud and announcing herself on the big stage. 

So, with the above in mind, Mail Sport travelled to Sheffield to join Price in camp ahead of her bout with two-weight world champion Jessica McCaskill in Cardiff on May 11. 

From an early age, Price's grandparents - Linda and Derek - recognised her natural athleticism and boundless energy, encouraging her to explore various sports. 

Whether it was kicking a football around the backyard or lacing up boxing gloves at the local gym, Price's grandparents were her biggest cheerleaders. 

As Price stands on the brink of her first world title, she credits them for laying the foundation for her achievements. 

Speaking about her grandparents, Price said: 'I was brought up by my grandparents from three days old. I had so much energy. I was bouncing around. And my nan said to my granddad, oh, we need to take her somewhere, you know, to burn some energy off. 

'He was mad into his football back then. He would run boys and girls clubs. He was well respected my grandad. He took me to the local boys team that he used to run and I was the only girl there with a bunch of boys.

'I just got stuck right in and fell in love with sport then and there. Don't get me wrong, I wasn't really good at the start, but I think that's what molded me and made me better and tough, you know, playing with the boys and getting knocked about and alongside that.'

She went on to add: 'I started kickboxing around the same time, so I was kind of out seven days a week. They would take me every all over the country and then on the weekends as well. 

'They supported me whenever and where ever, even when I was playing football in the rain. They always showed me love and told me to believe in my dreams.'

With her grandparent's guidance and support, Price began to think of sports as more than just a pastime and decided to pursue as career in football before setting her sights on the Olympics.

'As a child in school, I wrote three things down. I wanted to be a world kickboxing champion, play football for Wales and go to the Olympics, and, yeah it's crazy to think I ticket them all off.' 

Price believes her career in football - representing Wales 52 times - has helped her become the boxer she is today. 

'You look at the likes Katie Taylor, she played football for her country as well. And I think  my style of having, being fast, that probably comes from my football days. 

'Everything's kind of molded me. I got asked this question last night about pressure, having pressure on me, and I think all the experiences have gone through my life - like captaining my country at the age of 19 has helped me. 

'Going through my career, winning gold at every major international tournament, and going into the Olympics ranked number one and favorite to win gold, I think I've always had that kind of pressure on me, but I don't realise at the time, I just see it as you know, you just kind of, if anything, it pushes me along and wanted me to do better in'.

Driven by her relentless pursuit of excellence, Price recalled how she was inspired by Kelly Holmes to compete at the Olympics. 

'I played football for Wales. I had 52 caps. I was kickboxing, and kickboxing wasn't in the Olympics. And that was my dream. From the age of eight, I had seen Kelly Holmes win gold, who inspired me. 

'I sat in the room with my nan and Grandad, saw her across the finish line, and that was it. I want to go to the Olympics. No matter what I wanted to do, I just wanted to get it. 

'Boxing got introduced in London 2012 and I thought, obviously, with my style, being on the football field and being a kickboxer, it can't be too hard to kind of switch.

'I was always better with my fists than my legs anyway. So again, my grandma took me to a boxing club and they sent me straight down to the Welsh team the following weekend. 

'Two weeks later I'm on my way to world championships as a youth and the rest is history!'.  

In 2020, after years of training and sacrifice, she fulfilled her lifelong dream by representing Great Britain in the Tokyo Olympics. 

Stepping onto the world stage, Price dominated and not only claimed the gold medal but captured the hearts of fans and inspired the next generation. 

'The Olympic gold medal, it was a dream come true. I can't really put into words. And people say to me now, obviously, as a pro, what do you want to do? I said, I want to create a legacy, and I want to become undisputed world champion and win as many titles as I can, but I can say right here now, even with my big fight coming up, nothing is going to beat the Olympic gold medal.

'To go to an Olympic Games is very rare, even to qualify. To win a Olympic gold medal, that is something that will always stay with me forever and be the proudest moment of all.'

In recognition of her outstanding achievements in boxing and contributions to sports, Price was awarded an MBE in 2022. 

However, it wasn't always easy for Price. 

She had to fund her sports career by taking up a job as a late-night taxi driver. Previously telling Sky Sports: 'I was training Monday to Thursday like they do with GB and then I was taxi driving Friday and Saturday nights and I was absolutely knackered. 

'I'd start work at five and I'd finish at like four in the morning. I'd work through the nights picking up all the drunks.' 

Price is now looking to add another accolade to her name by beating McCaskill on Saturday night. 

Price's upcoming bout with McCaskill holds special significance because of the fact she will be fighting on home turf for the first time in the professional ranks. 

Returning to her roots, Price will have the chance to compete in front of her hometown crowd, igniting the passion and support of her loyal fans. 

'I'm so excited, I can't explain to you. I've been boxing in Wales since I was a kid and I've boxed all around the world as an adult. When I turned over as a pro, that was kind of one of the main things. I want to box in Wales. 

'I want to have my own fans there. I want to create a legacy like you've seen with Joe Calzaghe, what he done for Wales. He's a complete legend around here. So, yeah, to bring big nights back to Cardiff is amazing. 

'We're a small nation, but we get behind our own. Walking out there on May the 11th to the cheers and Jessica going into the Dragons Den, and it's just going to be great.

'I'm really excited but it's important to say, I don't want it just be like a one time thing. This is just the start.' 

But, beyond the sentimental value, this match-up presents Price with a golden opportunity to secure her first world title. 

Price said relishing the opportunity to claim the IBO, WBA and Ring Magazine welterweight belts and believes having a world title will open the door to even bigger and better fights.