Natasha Jonas defeated Ivana Habazin by unanimous decision to become the unified IBF and WBC welterweight world champion on Saturday night in Liverpool, setting up a blockbuster clash with Lauren Price.
Jonas and Price both emerged victorious for some reason on a show called ‘Collision Course’, with the latter successfully defending his world title by beating Bexcy Mateus earlier in the evening.
This was expected to be Jonas’ final fight in her hometown of Liverpool as she heads into retirement, and Price now awaits what could potentially be one of the most important fights in women’s boxing history.
Jonas returned to the ring for the first time with a win over Mikaela Mayer in January, directing the fight with the scorecards reading 99-92, 99-91, 100-90 and improving her record to 16-2-1.
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Natasha Jonas and Lauren Price both exchanged heated words following Liverpool’s win.
“I think we all know what the script is. I’m going to do what I need to do to get where I need to go,” Jonas said.
Jonas joined the pair in the ring with Price after the fight, but confirmed they will go head-to-head next year.
“100%,” Price said. “Going on a collision course, we knew what was at stake. Let’s have a great night in 2025.
“It was a good match. She won every round, did what she had to do and will continue to do so next year. Enjoy your Christmas and have a great camp. See you soon.”
Jonas responded by insisting, “Be careful what you wish for!”
A cautious opening with the right saw the fighter land neither clean nor meaningful shots in the first round, and it was Jonas who lifted the nervous crowd with a clean right hand to torment Habazin in the second.
Habazin broke through with a well-timed counter left hook to give his corner some welcome encouragement while also reminding us once again that there are two people in this fight.
Jonas upped the tempo early in the third, capitalizing on Habazin’s missed overhand right and pummeling the opening with a crashing right of his own.
The Liverpudlian rocked Habazin with a brutal attack in the fourth, sensing a finish in front and retreating the defending Croatian over the ropes but struggling to unlock the decisive strike.
Habazin recovered well to gain distance again and finished the round with a striking right hook. Jonas wisely took a turn.
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Lauren Price wants to face Natasha Jonas next after her big knockout win over Bexcy Mateus.
The fifth sees Jonas working behind a sharp counter that converges with a firm straight right to knock Habazin’s head back, while the sixth sees her maintaining tempo control, forcing her to strategically evaluate her attacks while also allowing her to miss. .
Jonas was now firmly in control and began to respond on target, again bypassing Habazin’s overhand right and keeping both fighters pressed against the ropes.
Habazin was as tough as he was billed to be, but when he decided to work on the front foot he couldn’t withstand the attack on the agile Jonas.
There was a rare gasp in the ninth when Habazin caught Jonas in the face with a clean right hand, which Jonas absorbed well before countering with a sharp flurry at the end of the round.
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Lee Cutler celebrated his victory with a warm break dance move after beating Stephen McKenna twice to win a majority decision in Liverpool.
Controlling the card, Jonas left the charge to Habazin, only seeing out the 10th and final round, while also finding time to produce two more clinical left hooks.
“I thought there was nothing better than qualifying for the Olympics and winning, but on nights like tonight, I just wanted to tell the people who have supported me for 20 years that we are an incredible city,” Jonas said. said. “I’m so proud to represent the city.”
The massive heavyweight rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury airs live on Sky Sports Box Office on Saturday December 21. Book Usyk v Fury 2 now!
