Natasha Jonas has hit again at Ivana Habazin’s declare she solely beat Mikaela Mayer courtesy of “a hometown decision” as flames had been stoked forward of Saturday’s world title unification battle.
Liverpool-born IBF welterweight champion Jonas bids to unify the division on Saturday when she welcomes Croatian WBC champion Habazin to Merseyside, stay on Sky Sports activities.
In entrance of a partisan residence crowd in January, Jonas edged a ferocious 10-round battle towards Mayer by cut up choice to retain her IBF belt.
Mayer thought she had received the competition after profitable broadly on one scorecard, solely to lose narrowly on the opposite two, however Habazin believes residence benefit performed a job because the fighters exchanged phrases within the run-up to battle night time.
“For me, I thought the fight was a draw and Natasha got the hometown decision,” Habazin advised Sky Sports activities.
“Natasha began properly, and Mikaela got here on stronger within the later rounds. I feel Mikaela harm Natasha just a few occasions however could not end her.
“There’s a lot I’ve taken from that fight. I saw some things that will really help me. Of course, every fighter is different, and every style is different, but I’ve prepared myself well and I believe I will be victorious.”
Requested whether or not she, as an away fighter, had any pre-fight considerations about judging, Habazin added: “I’ve fought against hometown fighters before. Sometimes I’ve won, sometimes I lost.
“However, in fact, if you come to battle on another person’s present, hometown benefit is at all times there. That is why in all my coaching, I have been doing every thing to verify I do not depart any doubt for the judges.
“I’m going to give everything, and I know Natasha will give everything too. It’s all or nothing for both of us. We’re both going to come and give 100 per cent, but at the end of the day it’s going to come down to who wants it most.”
Habazin’s feedback had been met with a swift rebuttal from Jonas, who replied: “I watched the fight back, I appreciate some rounds were close, but I think I won. It is what it is, the judges thought the same.”
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Saturday’s contest would be the nineteenth of Jonas’ skilled profession, and solely the eighth to have taken place in her hometown of Liverpool.
“It always is [a great night in front of your own fans],” the 40-year-old stated. “It’s every boxer’s dream, to box in front of a home crowd, in front of your family and friends.
“There are moments within the ring when it will get powerful, you are just a little bit drained, just a little bit sore, however if you hear the roar of the gang it spurs you on and motivates you.
“That’s exactly what happened against Mikaela Mayer and I expect it to happen on Saturday as well.”
Jonas vs Habazin stay on Sky Sports activities
Watch Natasha Jonas vs Ivana Habazin and Lauren Value vs Bexcy Mateus on December 14, stay on Sky Sports activities+ from 7pm and Sky Sports activities Fundamental Occasion from 8.30pm, or comply with updates through our devoted stay weblog on the Sky Sports activities web site and app.
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