The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
American McCaskill prepares for Welsh challenge
Jessica McCaskill plans to end Lauren Price’s world title dream and taste success again after spoiling herself with a burger and chicken wings during her stay in Cardiff.
American veteran McCaskill has put her WBA, IBO and Ring Magazine welterweight world titles on the line as Price attempts to become Wales’ first female boxing champion in just her seventh professional fight.
McCaskill made weight at yesterday’s weigh-in, coming in at 10st 5lbs – five ounces lighter than Price – and admits she has taken a liking to the food available in the Welsh capital.
“The food is very good. The other night I went to a restaurant and had a burger with chorizo and onion on it,” McCaskill said ahead of today’s showdown at the Utilita Arena.
“It was so big I had to squish it down. Then we had some chicken wings, it was really great. I like to come to fight week on weight so there are no issues and no surprises.
“Everything’s been great here. The people are very nice and it’s a place I would actually like to bring my mom.”
Chicago-based McCaskill unified the WBA and WBC superlightweight titles before moving up to welterweight and ending Cecilia Braekhus’ decade-long reign in the division.
But McCaskill is coming off the back of a defeat to Chantelle Cameron in her bid to become a two-weight undisputed champion and a September draw with Sandy Ryan.
She also turns 40 in four months, with Price nearly 10 years her junior. Price won Olympic middleweight gold in Tokyo three years ago and is aiming to become Wales’ 14th world champion.