Natasha Jonas books unification fight against Ivana Habazin on December 14

Liverpool’s Natasha Jonas, the current IBF welterweight world champion, will defend her belt against WBC belt-holder Ivana Habazin in a unification showdown on Saturday December 14 at the Exhibition Centre in Liverpool, England.

This, for Jonas, represents the chance to become a unified world champion in a second weight division, having previously won multiple belts at super welterweight. Victory should also move her a step closer to a fight against fellow Brit Lauren Price, who presently holds the WBA belt at welterweight. 

Back in January Jonas won a split decision against America’s Mikaela Mayer, a former unified champion herself, at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool. She said of her next challenge: “I’m excited to be back with another big world title fight at home in Liverpool. To get the chance to win another world title and to unify the IBF and WBC world titles is going to be special. Ivana Habazin is a great champion. She has won multiple world titles and fought some of the best in the world. I’m expecting a tough fight but I’m ready to prove that I’m the number one in the division.

“With the backing of my home fans, there’s no way I can lose.”

Habazin, meanwhile, hails from Zagreb, Croatia and outpointed Kinga Magyar to capture the vacant WBC title in April. Now 35, she has shared the ring with some of the greatest female fighters of the modern era, including Cecilia Brækhus and Claressa Shields, and once held the IBF world welterweight title.

She said: “It will be an honour for me to unify the WBC and IBF world welterweight titles. I previously held the IBF world title and I look forward to winning the belt again. I have a lot of respect for Natasha. She has been a great champion throughout her career. She is one of the outstanding female fighters in the sport today and beating her will give me the recognition that I have long deserved.

“I have visited Liverpool several times and it’s my favourite city in the UK, so I’m very excited to be fighting in her hometown. While it may be winter in Liverpool on December 14, I believe Natasha and I will bring some much-needed heat and Christmas cheer to those inside the arena. I just hope the judging will be fair and Santa doesn’t come to give Natasha an early Christmas present.”