Natasha Jonas teed up a attainable blockbuster showdown with Lauren Value as she overcame Ivana Habazin through unanimous resolution to grow to be unified IBF and WBC welterweight world champion in Liverpool on Saturday night time.
Jonas and Value each emerged victorious on a present billed as ‘Collision Course’ for a cause, the latter beating Bexcy Mateus earlier within the night to efficiently defend her world titles.
It marked what is predicted to be Jonas’ closing struggle in her hometown Liverpool as she seemingly closes in on retirement, Value now probably awaiting in what would signify one of the vital marquee fights in ladies’s boxing historical past.
Jonas was again within the ring for the primary time since edging out Mikaela Mayer in January, dictating the struggle to clinch it 99-92, 99-91, 100-90 on the scorecards and enhance her report to 16-2-1.
“I think we all know what the script is, we’ll do what’s necessary to do what I need to do to get to where I need to go,” stated Jonas.
Jonas was joined by Value within the ring after the struggle because the pair all however confirmed that they are going to go toe-to-toe subsequent 12 months.
“100 per cent,” stated Value. “Coming into this, Collision Course, we knew what was on the road. Let’s make an awesome night time in 2025.
“It was a good performance, she won every round, did what she had to do, roll on next year. Enjoy your Christmas, have a good camp, I’ll see you soon.”
Jonas responded by insisting: “Be careful what you wish for!”
A cagey opening to the proper noticed neither fighter land clear or significant photographs within the first spherical, earlier than it was Jonas who lifted a tense crowd courtesy of a clear proper hand to bother Habazin within the second.
Habazin responded by breaking via with a well-timed counter left hook handy her personal nook some welcome encouragement whereas reminding everyone as soon as extra there have been two individuals on this struggle.
Jonas lifted the tempo early into the third as she capitalised on a missed overhand proper from Habazin to pounce on the opening with a crashing proper of her personal.
The Liverpudlian then rocked Habazin with a brutal assault within the fourth earlier than launching ahead sensing a end within the offing, backing the defensive Croatian onto the ropes however struggling to unlock a decisive closing blow.
Habazin, to her credit score, recovered effectively to reestablish her distancing and shut out the spherical with a glancing proper hook Jonas was sensible to swerve.
The fifth would see Jonas work behind a pointy counter that amassed to a agency straight proper to snap again the pinnacle of Habazin, earlier than sustaining management of the tempo within the sixth to drive miss after miss whereas weighing up her assaults strategically.
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By now Jonas was firmly in management, once more bypassing an overhand proper from Habazin to launch an on-target reply with each fighters pressed towards the ropes.
Habazin was as robust as had been billed, however unable to maintain assaults towards a shrewd Jonas when she did determine to work on the entrance foot.
There have been uncommon gasps within the ninth when Habazin landed a clear proper hand to the face of Jonas, who absorbed it effectively earlier than firing again with a pointy flurry on the finish of the spherical.
In management on the playing cards, Jonas want solely see out the tenth and closing spherical as she put the onus on Habazin whereas additionally affording herself the time to supply two extra medical left hooks.
“I didn’t think it could get any better than qualifying and winning at the Olympics, but nights like this, I just wanted to say people who have given me 20 years of support, we are as a city unbelievable,” stated Jonas.” I’m so proud to represent the city.”
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