Lauren Price wanted to leave a lasting impression in front of a crowd who will be all the way behind her next opponent.

The Ring/WBA welterweight champion made quick work of unbeaten challenger Bexcy Mateus, whom she knocked out in the third round. Price scored knockdowns in every round before referee Steve Gray stopped the fight at 1:42 of the third.

Their championship fight aired live on Sky Sports in the U.K. and Peacock+ In the U.S. from M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool. It came in supporting capacity to local hero and The Ring No. 1 contender Natasha Jonas (16-2-1, 9 KOs) in her IBF/WBC unification bout against Ivana Habazin (23-5, 7 KOs; No. 5 at 147 by The Ring).

Wales' Price is expected to next face Liverpool's Jonas and made sure to put on a show on the road.

"Coming into this 'Collision Course' we both knew what was on the line," Price told Sky Sports' Andy Scott after her win. "Let's make for a great fight in 2025."

Price was making the first defense of her Ring welterweight championship and WBA title that she lifted from Jessica McCaskill. That feat took place in Cardiff, near her hometown of Ystrad Mynach, Wales.

It was just a 3 1/2 hour journey to Liverpool, a much quicker commute than for Colombia's Mateus (7-1, 6 KOs), who entered her first career title fight. The difference in class was immediate from the opening bell. Price let her straight left fly out of the southpaw stance, and Mateus was never able to adjust.

Mateus was floored in the closing seconds of the opening round. She beat the count but Price went back on the attack in round two. The frame was a virtual repeat of its predecessor, complete with another left hand-produced knockdown.

Price closed the show late in round three. It was once again the straight left that jarred Mateus and another to put her down for good. Referee Steve Gray immediately intervened, as the towel flew in from Mateus' corner.

The stoppage win was the first for Price since her second pro fight. The 2020 Olympic Gold medalist went the distance in five subsequent fights but also made history during that stretch. She became the first woman to ever win the British title with a ten-round decision over Kirstie Bavington last May in Birmingham, England.

Three fights later, Price claimed her first world championship with her win over McCaskill. It was a messy fight but resulted in the unbeaten 30-year-old dethroning the long-reigning champ to set up big money opportunities down the road.

There was frustration in taking this long to get back into the ring. Price accepted this fight with the promise that the next one would be a big one.

"I never would have fought on this show in a fight like this unless I knew Tasha was next," Price previously told The Ring.

As for her chances versus the ageless Jonas, she had a literal message to go with the one she sent with her in-ring performance.

"Too young, too quick, too good," insisted Price.

Jake Donovan is part of the U.S. team for The Ring. Follow Jake on X and Instagram.