LAUREN Price “can’t wait to get the show on the road and aim for those world titles” after entering boxing’s professional ranks with promoters Boxxer alongside partner Karriss Artingstall, writes David Williams.

Ystrad Mynach’s Price, who joins top female fighters Claressa Shields, Caroline Dubois, Natasha Jonas and Savannah Marshall at Boxxer, makes her pro debut on Sky Sports later this year.

The 27-year-old Olympic champion, left, had revealed her intention to leave the amateur game in December after receiving an MBE in the Queen’s New Year Honours list.

Matchroom’s Eddie Hearn was among those chasing Price’s signature, but the chance to fight on Sky Sports with other big names in women’s boxing saw her plump for Ben Shalom’s Boxxer.

“I’m really delighted to sign with BOXXER as Ben Shalom seems to be stamping his authority as a promoter in the boxing scene, especially on the female side of things,” said Price.

“As an amateur, I ticked every box, winning consecutive golds at the Commonwealth Games, Europeans, Worlds and Olympics.

“Sky Sports is a massive platform with all the ingredients to turn someone like myself into a superstar so I can’t wait to get the show on the road and aim for those world titles!”

Price and Artingstall, who won bronze in Tokyo last summer, were unveiled by Boxxer prior to their show at Newcastle’s Utilita Arena which featured WBO world middleweight champion Marshall.

The duo made history in Beijing as the first same-sex couple to win Olympic medals in boxing – and they have now made history again as the first such couple to sign with a major professional promotion.

Shalom added: “We are proud and excited to welcome two athletes who have achieved such incredible things and we look forward to achieving more incredible things together as Lauren and Karriss set out with Boxxer and Sky Sports on their quests for professional honours.

“This is one of the most exciting announcements yet in the flourishing Sky/Boxxer partnership.”

Sky Sports’ Adam Smith said: “We have been massively pushing for this key double signing and we believe we have struck gold here.

“They have the highest of skills and power and they ooze charisma. We will do everything we can to give them the biggest of platforms to become major stars.

“Ben Shalom and I couldn’t be more happy with the brightest of futures for our fabulous women!”