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Up-and-coming young Bahraini boxer Jayden Price is dreaming big. The 14-year-old England native, who started competing for Bahrain earlier this year, has an eye on one day winning a medal for the kingdom in men’s boxing at the Olympic Games, writes Patrick Salomon.
It is a target some may consider a long shot, especially due to the highly competitive nature of the sport. But Jayden is a born champion, and he has been proving it since he was a child growing up in the city of Gloucester, UK.
Despite being only in his early teens, Jayden already boasts a record of 78 wins in 82 bouts – a sensational mark that is headlined by a gold medal he won at the 2025 USA Boxing National Open, held last weekend in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Jayden had also previously excelled in three other combat sports before switching to boxing only four years ago.
Today, he is highly touted as one of the best young fighters in the world, and has gained the backing of Supreme Council for Youth and Sports first deputy chairman, General Sports Authority chairman, and Bahrain Olympic Committee president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, along with Bahrain Boxing Federation (BBF) president Rashid Feleyfel and BBF technical director and national team head coach Tony Davis.
“It is an honour to represent Bahrain and it is something I take very seriously,” Jayden told GulfWeekly.
“Competing on the biggest stage in this sport is not just about me – it’s about giving back to the country that has shown faith in me. Carrying those medal ambitions is a responsibility I embrace, because it motivates me to train harder every single day.”
Jayden credits his younger sister Maisey for sparking his early interest in boxing. He has since been developing his skills under the tutelage of his father Lee and his coach Amin Khan, who have unleashed his limitless potential.
“I got into boxing because I saw my sister winning medals in gymnastics,” Jayden explained. “My dad then introduced me to the sport, and from the very first time I stepped into the gym with my coach, I loved the discipline, the challenge, and the feeling of learning something new every day.
“I started training seriously when I was six, but in England you can’t compete until 10. So my dad took me to do BJJ (Brazilian jiu-jitsu). I had more than 200 contests and was number one in the world across MMA (mixed martial arts), BJJ, and wrestling, and I had my first competitive boxing bout at 10.”
Despite his success in the other combat disciplines, Jayden most loves competing in the ring.
“What drew me in most was the individual responsibility – you win and lose on your own merits – and I liked that accountability. Boxing gave me focus and a sense of purpose from a young age.”
Along with his recent success at the USA Boxing National Open, Jayden has also won gold for Bahrain at the Asian Boxing U15 and U17 Championship in Amman, Jordan, last April, and then struck gold again at the Braga Open Boxing event in Portugal in July.
Jayden is determined to continue making the most of his opportunity to fight for Bahrain and is ready to face the challenges that come with being dubbed as a leading talent on the national team.
“I don’t see it as pressure; I see it as an opportunity,” he said. “It was why I wanted to win the Asian championship, as a thank you to His Highness (Shaikh Khalid) for believing in me.”
Jayden has enjoyed being a part of Team Bahrain and is excited about continuing his boxing journey alongside his fellow-fighters from the kingdom.
“I want to bring energy, dedication, and a winning mentality,” he stressed.
“Medals are important, but what’s just as important to me is showing that success comes from consistency, hard work, and belief.
“I hope my journey inspires younger boxers to believe in themselves and aim high. At the same time, I’m looking forward to training alongside Bahraini boxers my age, learning from them, and pushing each other to improve.”
With Jayden being 14 years old, he will not be eligible to represent Bahrain at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. The sport’s international governing body, World Boxing, presently requires fighters to be at least 18 to be eligible to compete in Olympic qualifying tournaments – but this hasn’t fazed Jayden, who still harbours some hope.
“Every step I take is aimed toward LA 2028,” Jayden said.
“The next three years will be about building experience, refining my style, and making sure I’m at my absolute best when the Olympic opportunity comes.
“Currently, I’m still too young to take part in LA 2028, but rules can change, and who knows? You still might see me on the podium in LA with the Bahrain anthem playing.”
