Camp Of Sandy Ryan Targeting A Fight With Natasha Jonas
WBO women’s welterweight champion Sandy Ryan (7-1-1, 3 KOs) successfully defended her title with a dominant fourth-round stoppage win over reigning WBA 154-pound champion Terri Harper. With intentions of becoming the undisputed champion at 147, Team Ryan is looking for a unification fight with countrywoman and IBF champion Natasha Jonas (15-2-1, 9 KOs).
Fighting at the Utilita Arena in Sheffield, England, Ryan was in control from the opening bell. Harper tried to use her jab to keep the welterweight champion at bay. It wasn’t nearly enough to hold off Ryan.
The older fighter punished Harper up and down with relentless punches. By the end of the fourth round, Harper looked like a defeated fighter. She did not come out of the corner to start round five.
HUNGRY FOR MORE GLORY
During the post-fight news conference, Ryan told the boxing media that she’s willing to fight anyone and wants to collect all the world belts at welterweight. Her promoter, Eddie Hearn, gave his thoughts on who he wanted to see his charge in the ring against.
“Realistically, Natasha Jonas. Natasha might fancy that fight. We have no problem if it’s the right opportunity for Sandy to do it on Sky. If we have to go over there and challenge or make a big offer to do it on DAZN. We got to give her the opportunity to roam free for the belts . . . I’m not interested in just a voluntary defense against someone.”
The last outing for Jonas was a split-decision victory over former unified junior lightweight champion Mikaela Mayer in January 2024. Of the world champions at 147, Jonas has the highest profile.
THE ART OF NEGOTIATING
Some impediments must be dealt with to make a fight between the two champions. Jonas fights for Boxxer on Sky. Ryan is currently with Matchroom. But if Hearn is saying that he’s willing to let Ryan crossover and face Jonas on Sky, that’s a great sign that it could occur later this year. The IBF champion is on record saying that 2024 is likely her last year in boxing and wants a big-money fight before calling it a day.
A Jonas versus Ryan welterweight unification is not only a big-time domestic fight in England. It’s also a significant fight for women’s boxing.
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