Natasha Jonas Eyes Mega Lauren Price Fight; Must Beat Habazin First
Natasha Jonas could become a step closer to facing Lauren Price in a mega clash in 2025 if she gets past her next opponent Ivana Habazin.
The 40-year-old Jonas will defend her IBF Welterweight Title against Habazin on December 14. She will fight in Liverpool, her hometown, aiming to continue her impressive streak. She is undefeated in her last six fights, albeit she still has something to prove. Jonas overcame Mikaela Mayer this January in her last fight.
While she got a split decision win, the result was criticized. Most of the boxing community felt that Mayer had done enough to win the fight. She had a better output and landed more damaging shots. However, given that she was the home fighter, this may have been a factor in the scoring as to whether Mayer had done enough to beat a champion in her backyard.
Her opponent, Habazin, holds the WBC Welterweight Title. She is younger at 35 and has been in big fights. She has faced Cecilia Braekhus and Claressa Shields. Habazin won the vacant WBC Belt in her last fight, as she overcame Kinga Magyar. Habazin is a two-division champion. She has won the IBF Welterweight Title and the IBO Middleweight Title previously. The winner could face Lauren Price for her WBA, IBO & Ring Magazine belts to decide the best welterweight of this era. The two fighters were confident about the upcoming fight. Jonas was delighted to be fighting in her hometown, while Habazin was optimistic about getting a win.
Reaction
“I’m excited to be back with another big world title fight at home in Liverpool. To get the chance to win another world title and to unify the IBF and WBC World Titles is going to be special. Ivana Habazin is a great champion. She has won multiple world titles and fought some of the best in the world. I’m expecting a tough fight but I’m ready to prove that I’m the number one in the division. With the backing of my home fans, there’s no way I can lose,” Natasha Jonas
“It will be an honour for me to unify the WBC and IBF World Welterweight Titles. I previously held the IBF World Title and I look forward to winning the belt again. I have a lot of respect for Natasha. She has been a great champion throughout her career. She is one of the outstanding female fighters in the sport today and beating her will give me the recognition that I have long deserved.
Further Reaction
“I have visited Liverpool several times and it’s my favourite city in the UK, so I’m very excited to be fighting in her hometown. While it may be winter in Liverpool on December 14th, I believe Natasha and I will bring some much needed heat and Christmas cheer to those inside the arena. I just hope the judging will be fair and Santa doesn’t come to give Natasha an early Christmas present,” Ivana Habazin
“Natasha Jonas is back in her hometown for a huge world title unification showdown. It’s champion versus champion as Natasha goes toe-to-toe with WBC World title holder Ivana Habazin. This is a must-win fight for Natasha as she looks to cement her legacy as one of the greatest female fighters of her generation. A win on December 14th can set up more career-defining fights for Natasha including a massive all-British world title unification showdown with Lauren Price early next year to determine who is number one in the welterweight division,” Ben Shalom
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