The late glory continues for Natasha Jonas who added the WBC welterweight title to her IBF strap by scoring a 10-round unanimous decision over Ivana Habazin at the Exhibition Centre in Liverpool on Saturday. The official scores were 100-90, 99-92 and 99-91.
Jonas (16-2-1, 9 KOs) stunned Habazin badly in round four and displayed tactical superiority throughout the fight. Habazin was game but ultimately outclassed in what was her maiden title defense.
“You just have to adapt as you go through the rounds,” said Jonas during her post-fight interview. "I was a little bit off in some parts. I hurt her in one of the early rounds but (trainer) Joe [Gallagher] told me she'd recovered."
Natasha Jonas takes a unanimous decision to unify the WBC welterweight world championship with the IBF title she already held 🥊🔥#JonasHabazin x #PriceMateus pic.twitter.com/XGxmLq0JPI
— Sky Sports Boxing (@SkySportsBoxing) December 14, 2024
Southpaw Jonas did some reconnaissance in round one, working behind a jab and finding space for a nice straight left to the body. Habazin’s attacks were crude by comparison and she landed nothing of consequence.
The body attack was key for Jonas, who used quick feet to drift inside before releasing hooks with both hands. More than once, the Liverpool native switched the right hook upstairs and it was that shot that hurt Habazin in the fourth.
After being shaken up, the visitor’s intensity dropped which gave Jonas fewer opportunities to counter punch. However, any time Habazin did make a mistake, she was punished on the counter by swift blows up and down.
By round seven, the action was thoroughly one-sided with Jonas having everything her way. Habazin was continually made to flounder and could only display her ability to take a good shot. She just couldn’t pin Jonas down.
Throughout the fight, Habazin switched stance intermittently but to no avail. The home fighter could see everything coming and had a field day from start to finish.
Jonas, 40, is a two-weight world champion, having also unified at super welterweight. After falling short against Katie Taylor (SD 10) and Terri Harper (Draw 10) at lower weights, the former Olympian moved up and has excelled ever since.
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Next up will be a unification showdown against WBA and Ring Magazine welterweight champion Lauren Price. The 2020 Olympic gold medalist scored an easy third-round stoppage over Bexcy Mateus on the undercard and immediately asked for the fight.
“We all know what the script is... the story doesn't end here,” said Jonas before agreeing to the match at ring center. "Be careful what you wish for."
Habazin, 35, falls to 23-6 (7 KOs)
Natasha Jonas vs. Ivana Habazin fight card
- Natasha Jonas (c) def. Ivana Habazin (c) (100-90, 99-91, 99-92) for the IBF and WBC welterweight titles
- Lauren Price (c) def. Bexcy Mateus via TKO 3 (1:42) for the WBA and Ring welterweight titles
- Lee Cutler def. Stephen McKenna via MD 10 (94-94, 96-92, 95-93); Super Welterweights
- Mark Jeffers def. Elvis Ahorgah via TKO 3 (2:42); Super Middleweights
- Frankie Stringer def. Tatenda Mangombe via PTS 6 (60-54); Lightweights
- Viddal Riley def. Dan Garber via TKO 2 (2:35); Cruiserweights
- Mason Cartwright def. Dzmitry Atrokhau via PTS 6 (60-54); Super Welterweights
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