Natasha Jonas beat Ivana Habazin by way of unanimous resolution to develop into unified IBF and WBC welterweight in a possible blockbuster showdown with Lauren Worth in Liverpool on Saturday night time world champion.
There is a cause Jonas and Worth each gained on a present referred to as “Collision Course,” with the latter efficiently defending her World of Warcraft title in opposition to Betsy Mateus earlier within the night time. champion.
This marked Jonas’ remaining battle in her hometown of Liverpool as she could also be approaching retirement, whereas Worth could now be ready for a battle that represents probably the most high-profile fights in girls’s boxing historical past.
Jonas returned to the ring for the primary time since defeating Mikaela Mayer in January, profitable on the scorecards 99-92, 99-91, 100-90 to enhance her file to 16-2 – 1.
“I feel everyone knows what the script is and we’ll do what’s crucial to perform what I must do to get to the place I have to be,” Jonas stated.
After the match, Jonas appeared within the ring with Worth, and the 2 have been all however confirmed to go head-to-head subsequent 12 months.
“100%,” Worth stated. “Going into the collision course, we all know what’s coming. Let’s have an amazing night time in 2025.
“It was an amazing efficiency and he or she gained each spherical and did what she needed to do to maneuver on subsequent 12 months. I want you a cheerful Christmas and an amazing coaching camp and I am going to see you quickly.”
Jonas insists: “Watch out what you want for!”
A cautious proper hand left the boxer with neither a clear touchdown nor a significant shot within the first spherical, then Jonas relieved the nervous crowd with a clear proper hand within the second, giving Habazin the Bother is coming.
Habazin responded by countering with a well-timed left hook, giving his nook some welcome encouragement whereas as soon as once more reminding everybody that there have been two males on this battle.
Jonas stepped up the tempo early within the third, profiting from Habazin’s missed alternative to take benefit and seize the area with a jab of her personal.
The Scouser then rocked Habazin with a brutal assault within the fourth quarter earlier than pushing ahead, sensing the top was imminent, pushing the defending Croatian to the ropes however struggling to launch the decisive remaining blow.
To Habazin’s credit score, he recovered properly, regained a ways, and ended the spherical with a proper hook that Jonas properly turned to.
Within the fifth, Jonas adopted a pointy counterattack with a agency straight proper that knocked Habazin’s head again, then maintained management of the tempo within the sixth, forcing turnover after turnover whereas strategically Sexually weighing her offense.
By this time, Jonas was firmly accountable for the scenario, as soon as once more bypassing Habazin’s overhand proper fist, and launched a focused counterattack with each fighters pinned to the ropes.
Harbazyan is as robust as marketed, however when the savvy Jonas decides to take the initiative, she will’t deal with the assaults on her.
Within the ninth spherical, Habazin elicited a uncommon gasp with a clear proper hand to Jonas’s face, and Jonas absorbed the punch properly earlier than slamming again on the finish of the spherical.
With the playing cards in hand, Jonas solely needed to battle by the tenth and remaining spherical as she handed the duty to Habazin whereas additionally giving herself time to land two extra medical left hooks.
Jonas stated: “I feel there’s nothing higher than qualifying and profitable on the Olympics, however on nights like this I simply need to say to the individuals who have given me 20 years of help that we as a metropolis are superb. unbelievable.
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