Natasha Jonas Extends Career with Unfinished Business and Big Fights Ahead
Natasha Jonas thought she’d be enjoying a well-earned retirement by now. Instead, the 40-year-old boxing sensation is gearing up for a world title unification fight this Saturday, determined to settle some unfinished business in the ring. For Jonas, the journey isn’t over just yet.
Back in January, Jonas delivered what many consider her career-best performance, earning a split decision victory over Mikaela Mayer. After that fight, she confidently declared that 2024 would likely be her final year in boxing. But as the months passed without another fight, Jonas had a change of heart. Now, she’s extending her career into 2025, with her sights set on more titles and legacy-defining moments.
This weekend, Jonas (15-2-1, 9 KOs) will face WBC champion Ivana Habazin (23-6, 7 KOs) in a world title unification bout in her hometown of Liverpool, England, at the Exhibition Centre. The stakes couldn’t be higher for Jonas, who knows that a victory over Habazin could set up a blockbuster showdown with British rival Lauren Price.
What’s Next for Jonas?
If Jonas defeats Habazin, the next step in her journey would be a title unification fight against Price, a 30-year-old Olympic gold medalist from Wales. Price (7-0, 1 KO) is fresh off her first world title win in May, where she defeated former undisputed world champion Jessica McCaskill. This weekend, Price will defend her WBA belt against Colombia’s Bexcy Mateus (7-0, 6 KOs), setting the stage for a potential clash with Jonas.
Jonas, however, is keeping her focus firmly on the task at hand. “If I got the fights I wanted last year, I would be retired by now,” Jonas told ESPN. “When you have performances like I did against Mayer, you have to build on them. I’m too old to be inactive, and an inactive Natasha is a dangerous one.”
She added, “Knowing I could be fighting Lauren down the line is a distraction. I hate it when people say this is the collision course, you’re going to be fighting her after this one. It’s a bit disrespectful to Ivana. I’m certainly not looking past her.”
Lessons from Boxing’s Biggest Missed Fights
Jonas is all too aware of how quickly plans can unravel in boxing. “We’ve seen it before in boxing where plans go out the window,” she said. “The perfect example is Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua. They were supposed to fight, but look what happened. Something always happens to mess plans up, and I don’t want to be the one to slip up.”
For Jonas, the endgame is clear: “I’m two or three fights away from retirement. I want to go out on a high and on my own terms. I don’t want to have too many fights. Performances like the one versus Mikaela Mayer show I’ve still got it in me. I have the boxing IQ and drive to beat top opponents.”
Dream Fights Still on the Table
Jonas isn’t ruling out a rematch with Katie Taylor, the undisputed junior welterweight champion. Taylor (24-1, 6 KOs), who narrowly defeated Jonas in May 2021, is currently weighing her next move after a high-profile rematch victory over Amanda Serrano. Taylor’s team is reportedly exploring a trilogy fight with Serrano, potentially at Dublin’s 70,000-seat Croke Park in spring 2025.
Jonas, however, hopes Taylor will choose her instead. “I’ve always said that Katie is the fight I wanted,” Jonas said. “The two biggest fights out there for me are Katie Taylor and the Mikaela Mayer rematch, which is personal. I hope Katie chooses me next [rather than Serrano], but Katie is in a privileged position where she can choose her opponents, and we are all chasing her.”
Jonas is also open to a rematch with Mayer, who has since claimed the WBO world welterweight title by defeating Sandy Ryan. “If the opportunity arises, I’d take it,” Jonas said.
The Debate Over Three-Minute Rounds
One of the hot topics in women’s boxing is the potential shift to three-minute rounds, a change that Amanda Serrano has been advocating for. Jonas, however, isn’t convinced it’s the right move. “Katie would never agree to a three-minute round with Serrano because she has mastered the craft of a two-minute round so well,” Jonas explained. “She knows how to rob a round in the last seconds, when to take a break, how to pace herself. I don’t blame her because that’s what works best for her style.”
Jonas also raised concerns about the financial implications of longer rounds. “If we’re doing three-minute rounds, are we going to get extra pay for doing so? And if we’re not, what’s the point?” she asked. “I think the two-minute rounds actually make it more exciting. One little flurry of punches can cost you the round.”
Respect for Habazin
Despite her confidence, Jonas isn’t underestimating Habazin, who has faced some of the biggest names in the sport, including Terri Harper, Cecilia Brækhus, and Claressa Shields. “She’s been a pro a long time and has been in with some big names, so she knows her way around title fights,” Jonas said. “But I think that everything she has, I have better. I’m definitely not taking her lightly.”
As Jonas steps into the ring this Saturday, one thing is clear: her story is far from over. With potential fights against Price, Taylor, and Mayer on the horizon, Jonas is determined to leave the sport on her own terms—and with her legacy firmly intact.
Originally Written by: Nick Parkinson
