At just 14 years old, Jayden Price is already a name to remember in the world of boxing. A multiple English youth champion from Gloucester, Jayden has dominated the domestic scene—but his Olympic dreams will not unfold under the Union Jack. Instead, they’ll be carried forward under the red and white flag of Bahrain.
In a bold and unprecedented move, Jayden has switched sporting allegiance from Great Britain to Bahrain. The decision, reached after discussions with the Bahrain Olympic Committee, means the teenager will represent the Gulf nation at major international competitions, including his ultimate goal: the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and potentially the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.
From Gloucester to the Gulf
The journey began following Jayden’s performance at the European Championships, where Bahrain’s sporting authorities approached the young boxer with a life-changing proposal. “After the European Championships last year, Bahrain reached out to us wanting to sign me to represent their country,” Jayden said in an interview with Sky News. “So now I represent Bahrain.”
The decision has drawn some criticism due to Jayden’s lack of familial or cultural ties to Bahrain, but for his family, the opportunity was too significant to ignore. Financial backing from Bahrain will allow Jayden to remain an amateur through his peak development years, avoiding the pressures of going professional too early—a challenge many young British boxers face due to limited financial support.
A Strategic Career Move
Bahrain has made its ambitions clear. All eight of the nation’s Olympic medals have been won by imported athletes, and Jayden could very well become the country’s first boxing medalist. Already, he’s made an impact: just weeks after the agreement was finalized, he won gold in the U15s 43kg class at the Asian Championships in Amman, Jordan.
“Obviously things like the national anthem, I have to get used to that,” Jayden admitted. “But just being able to compete for Bahrain now, I think it’s a great opportunity.”
His father and coach, Lee Price and Amin Khan, view the switch as a smart, long-term move. Khan noted, “Boxing is still a working-class sport, but it’s costly. This opportunity provides not just financial benefits, but career benefits. Jayden gets to stay amateur longer, develop at a high level, and aim for multiple Olympic Games.”
Building a Brand
Representing Bahrain also allows Jayden to craft a unique global profile. The move opens doors to new sponsorship opportunities and positions him as the face of a national sports project. “He’s the poster boy of Bahrain,” Khan said. “He’s the chosen one.”
Despite the fame and financial rewards on the horizon, Jayden remains humble. With 66 wins out of 70 fights and roots in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and MMA since age six, his ambitions are clear: “Hopefully by 34, I’ll be retired, a former undisputed champion. Just one of the greatest.”
A Symbol of Modern Sports Globalization
Jayden Price’s story is more than a tale of a teenage athlete chasing Olympic dreams—it’s a snapshot of the modern sports landscape, where national borders blur in the face of opportunity, investment, and ambition. While his decision may spark debate, there’s no denying that the backing of Bahrain has given Jayden the platform to chase greatness.
And if his early success is any indication, that platform may soon include an Olympic podium.
