Venue: Royal Albert Hall, London | Date: Friday, 7 MarchCoverage: Live text commentary from 20:00 GMT and radio coverage from 21:00 on BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Sounds, and the BBC Sport website & app
A moment of unexpected controversy unfolded during Thursday’s weigh-in ahead of the highly anticipated welterweight unification clash between Natasha Jonas and Lauren Price, as concerns were raised over the calibration of the official scales.
Natasha Jonas’ trainer, Joe Gallagher, questioned the legitimacy of the scales being used after noticing the absence of an official calibration sticker. Gallagher claimed that several undercard fighters had weighed in approximately a pound lighter than expected and demanded a delay until the equipment was properly checked.
“They’re the rules. I’m only playing by the rules,” said Gallagher, insisting on adherence to official protocol.
Despite the protest, an official from promoters Boxxer overruled the concern and allowed the weigh-in to proceed. Wales' Lauren Price, the WBA titleholder, registered a weight of 10st 5lb — comfortably within the welterweight limit. Liverpool’s Natasha Jonas, who holds the WBA and IBF belts, came in at 10st 6lb.
"Isn't boxing full of dramas? I was light, with my clothes on," quipped 40-year-old Jonas.
Price, 30, who remains unbeaten in her eight professional bouts and won Olympic gold at Tokyo 2020, dismissed Gallagher's objections.
“Gallagher is trying to make it about himself, but it's Jonas v Price,” she said.
Despite the pre-fight tension, the weigh-in concluded on a respectful note with both champions sharing a handshake. The bout will headline an all-female fight card at the historic Royal Albert Hall.
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