Lauren Price faces Bexcy Mateus in the co-main event to set up a potential three-belt unification
December 14th just got even more bloated, as Boxxer revealed a show at Liverpool’s Exhibition Centre headlined by a welterweight title unification between Natasha Jonas and Ivana Habazin.
Following back-to-back failed title bids against Terri Harper at 130 and Katie Taylor at 135, Jonas (15-2-1, 9 KO) jumped all the way to 154, swiftly picking up three titles before dropping to 147 and taking out Kandi Wyatt for the vacant IBF belt. This set up a high-profile showdown with Mikaela Mayer that most felt went the American’s way, though two judges gave it to local favorite Jonas.
Habazin (23-5, 7 KO) has fallen short in all her biggest fights to date, sporting losses to the likes of Cecilia Braekhus, Claressa Shields, and the aforementioned Harper, but does own the WBC title after beating Hungary’s Kinga Magyar in April.
Jonas said: “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.
Habazin: “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.”
While it’s not exactly a blockbuster matchup, it’s meant to lead into one. WBA champion Lauren Price (7-0, 1 KO), who retired Jessica McCaskill in May, will defend her title against Bexcy Mateus (7-0, 6 KO). I know Jonas vs Price is the fight to make, but I feel like it’s been years since we’ve had a proper Unheralded Colombian Puncher upset so I’m pulling for Mateus.
Price: “I’m excited to be out defending my belts to finish what has been a big year for me. I have full respect for Mateus. I’ll prove I’m the best in the division and I won’t let anything, or anyone, stand in my way of becoming undisputed.”
Stephen McKenna (15-0, 14 KO), Viddal Riley (11-0, 6 KO), and Mark Jeffers (18-0, 5 KO) all see action on the undercard.
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