Will the Next Fight Be the Last for Natasha Jonas?
The reigning IBF women’s welterweight champion, Natasha Jonas (15-2, 9 KOs), is at the apex of her popularity. But despite that reality, the pride of Liverpool, England is a fighter that appears ready to exit the sport once and for all.
COMING TO A CLOSE?
Jonas made the first defense of the IBF title with a hard-fought, split-decision victory over former unified 130-pound champion Mikaela Mayer in front of her hometown fans of Liverpool on January 20. After what was one of the toughest victories of her career, the champion said the following about her future, during the post-fight interview:
“We look at all the opportunities available, and I take the ones that are best for me. Unfortunately, I can’t be around forever. This is probably my last year in boxing, and we want to make it the best chapter of the book.”
A CAREER TIMELINE
The professional boxing story of Natasha Jonas can be wrapped up into two parts. During her days at 130 and 135, she was considered a talented fighter. However, she came up short at the world championship level. But after deciding to move up to junior middleweight, her career has flourished.
2022 saw the talented southpaw win three of the four world titles at 154. After vacating the junior middleweight titles, Jonas captured the vacant IBF welterweight title in July 2023 with an eighth-round stoppage victory over Kandi Wyatt.
WHAT FIGHT COULD BE THE LAST?
Given Jonas’ announcement, seeing who she decides to fight will be interesting. Mayer has called for a rematch. Many boxing fans on social media want to see them go at it again. Jonas is also interested in a showdown with unified champion Jessica “CasKILLA” McCaskill.
If this is the final lap around the boxing track for Jonas, she’s had a heck of a career. One of the best fighters in women’s British boxing history, she hopes to go out on a bang.
