GWENT’S Lauren Price made history in Russia as she became the first boxer from Wales to win a world amateur title.

The 25-year-old from Ystrad Mynach initially lost the 75kg final to Dutch foe Nouchka Fontijn via a split decision.

However, the result was overturned after a successful appeal by GB Boxing, giving Price a gold medal to go with the bronze she picked up at last year’s World Championships.

Pontypool ABC middleweight Price, who has high hopes of Olympic success next year, went into the final having beaten Rio 2016 silver medalist Fontijn to gold at the European Games in the summer.

At the end of the contest in the Siberian city of Ulan-Ude, three judges had given the fight to Fontijn (30-27, 30-27 and 29-28), while two had Price ahead 29-28.

Price said: “It all feels like a bit of a dream at the minute.

“I have dreamt of being world champion for most of my life, so to finally achieve it feels unreal.

“It was a close fight and I did think I had won it with my work in the second and third rounds so once it went to review I thought there was a good chance it would go in my favour.

“It is definitely the high point of my career.

“I have got Commonwealth gold, European Games gold and World Championship gold, so I just need to make sure I get the big one next year to complete the set.

“We have such a great team at GB Boxing and I just want to thank them all for all they have done for me.

“The coaches and all the staff out here have been amazing.

“They really believed in me, so I just want to thank them for everything.”

GB Boxing’s performance director Rob McCracken said: “Lauren has been absolutely fantastic for the last two years and thoroughly deserves to be world champion.

“She has been getting better and better and winning the world championship is a fantastic reward for all of the hard work she has put in in the gym.”