Natasha Jonas Beats Patricia Berghult in Unification Bout; Another On the Way?
In her latest tour of duty, super welterweight fighter Natasha Jonas (12-2-1, 8 KO) enjoyed another triumphant performance. This time Jonas out-boxed Patricia Berghult to win by way of unanimous decision. With the win, Jonas made the second defense of her WBO 154-pound title while collecting the WBC title from Berghult in this meaningful unification. Jonas is now riding a three-fight win streak since suffering a unanimous decision loss to Katie Taylor back on May 1, 2021. Of course the question now becomes: who should Jonas face next?
The most logical and strategic opponents would be one of her fellow champions: Hannah “Hannah the Banger” Rankin (12-5, 3 KO’s) (WBA) and Marie Eve Dicaire (18-1, 1 KO’s). In Rankin, we have a well-experience pugilist who has faced top talent such a Patricia Berghult, Savannah Marshall and Claressa Shields. Unfortunately she was defeated by this particular trio of fighters. Nevertheless, Rankin is also riding a three-fight win streak since last losing to Savannah Marshall. Yet, Rankin is already scheduled to go head-to-head with Terri Harper on September 24.
Aside from Rankin, there is also Marie Eve Dicaire who at the moment doesn’t have a penciled in dance partner. In fact, Dicaire has yet to compete this calendar year. The crafty Canadian actually captured her IBF title on December 17, 2021 against Cynthia Lozano. Her bout versus Lozano was her first since suffering her sole professional loss to Claressa Shields. A high-profile unification match with Jonas would have to be an attractive option for Dicaire. So let’s see what news comes bubbling out of the women’s super welterweight division in the next few days and weeks.
By: Bakari Simpson
