Jonas To Team Shields: “Improve The Offer And The Fight Happens!”

Natasha Jonas Puts the Ball in Team Shields' Court

Natasha Jonas wants a better offer from Team Shields
Natasha Jonas (L, credit: Boxxer/Lawrence Lustig), Claressa Shields (credit: John David Mercer/USA Today Sports)

Natasha Jonas Wants A Better Offer from Team Shields


3Kings Boxing previously reported that promoter Dmitry Salita disclosed that unified women’s junior middleweight champion Natasha Jonas (13-2-1, 8 KOs) turned down an offer to fight undisputed middleweight champion Claressa “GWOAT” Shields (13-0, 2 KOs). Jonas is now speaking about her decision. Her rationale came down to an issue of financial compensation.

The unified 154-pound champion went to social media to give her take on the situation. In her mind, the offer was not of market value and not befitting her current status.

Natasha Jonas explains why she declined the Claressa Shields offer

BELIEVING IN HER SELF-WORTH

Jonas is coming off a fantastic 2022. She fought three times that year. In each of those fights, the 38-year-old from Liverpool, England won a junior middleweight title. Due to her efforts, she was 3kingsboxing.com’s Female Fighter of the Year for 2022. Jonas is now considered one of the elite women’s fighters in the sport.

As a result, she wants to get paid accordingly. If Shields makes at least a million dollars per fight, the Brit feels deserving of getting a similar amount of money for a matchup with GWOAT.

In the past, Jonas has stated that she’s willing to come to America to face the multi-divisional champion. But from a financial perspective, Shields-Jonas would make the most money in England.

Shields has a notable fan base in that part of the world. Her most recent outing was a win over Savannah Marshall to become a two-time undisputed middleweight champion in October 2022.

That contest took place in London, England. It was a huge financial success. Jonas is one of the preeminent figures of women’s boxing in the UK and did ringside commentary for Shields-Marshall for Sky Sports.

A CALCULATED RISK

The junior middleweight champion is not lacking big potential fights. A unification showdown with countrywoman and reigning WBA junior middleweight champion Terri Harper for undisputed status at 154 would be a big deal. But a fight with Shields is next-level acclaim and notoriety.

Jonas is banking on Team Shields coming back with a bigger offer, but that is no guarantee. Will Jonas’s gamble pay off, or is it something she ends up regretting?

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About Mike W.1943 Articles
Mike is the host of boxing podcast "Pound 4 Pound Boxing Report" and is a Senior Writer for 3kingsboxing.com.