Natasha Jonas made a big start for Lauren Price as she defeated Ivana Habazin via unanimous decision to become the combined IBF and WBC welterweight world champion in Liverpool on Saturday night.
Jonas and Price both emerged victorious in a show dubbed 'Crash Course' for a reason, the latter defeating Bexcy Mateus earlier in the evening to successfully defend her world titles .
It marked what is expected to be Jonas' last fight in her hometown of Liverpool as she looks set to close in on her retirement, Price now ' await one of the biggest marquee fights in women's boxing history.
Jonas was back in the ring for the first time since finishing Mikaela Mayer in January, dominating the fight to win 99-92, 99-91, 100-90 on the scorecards and the record. her to improve 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 where I need to go,” Jonas said.
Price joined Jonas in the ring after the fight as the pair all but confirmed that they will go toe-to-toe next year.
“100 percent,” Price said. “Coming into this, Crash Course, we knew what was on the line. Let's have a good night in 2025.
“It was a great performance, she won every round, she did what she had to do, roll on next year. Merry Christmas, have a good camp, see you soon. “
Jonas responded by urging: “Be careful what you wish for!”
In a cagey right hand the fighter wasn't landing clean or meaningful shots in the first round, before it was Jonas who lifted a tight crowd courtesy of a clean right hand to trouble Habazin in the second round.
Habazin responded by breaking through with a well-timed left hook to give her own corner some welcome encouragement while reminding everyone once again that there were two people in this fight.
Jonas picked up the tempo early in the third as she took advantage of a missed forehand from Habazin to pounce on the opening with a fall of her own.
The Liverpudlian then rocked Habazin with a brutal attack in the fourth before launching to sense a finish in the race, supporting the defending Croatian on the ropes but struggling to land a decisive final blow.
Habazin, to his credit, recovered well to re-establish his pace and close out with a right hook that looked right Jonas was able to move.
The fifth saw Jonas work behind a sharp counter that gathered€» adv. being lost while strategically measuring her attacks.
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Lee Cutler beat Stephen McKenna twice and celebrated victory with a worm dance move after getting a majority decision in Liverpool
At this point Jonas was firmly in control, again passing a right hand from Habazin to launch a counterattack with both fighters pressed against the ropes.
Habazin was as hard as recorded, but she could not keep attacks against Jonas quick when she decided to work on the front leg.
There were rare gasps in the ninth when Habazin landed a clean right hand to the face of Jonas, who absorbed it well before firing back with a sharp flurry at the end of the round.
With the cards in control, Jonas only had to see out the 10th and final round as she put the pressure on Habazin while also giving herself time to land two more clinical 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 that people who have supported me for 20 years, that we are incredible city,” Jonas said. “I'm so proud to represent the city.”
The heavyweight rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury will be live on Saturday December 21 on Sky Sports Box Office. Book Usyk v Fury 2 now!
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