LIVERPOOL – Natasha Jonas defeated Ivana Habazin to unify the WBC and IBF welterweight titles and set up a unification fight with Lauren Price next year.
Jonas countered well against the resilient Habazin to take a unanimous decision on all three judges’ scorecards. The fight, in Liverpool’s Exhibition Center, could turn out to be Jonas’ last in her home city and she emotionally thanked the crowd for their support across her career.
“I just want to thank everyone that has come out to watch me,” said Jonas post-fight. “Over 20 years, your support has been incredible – I’m so proud to be scouse.”
The victory has surely set up a unification with fellow Brit and WBA 147-pound champion Price. Jonas and Price met in the ring after their contest and had a lot to say to each other.
“I think we all know who next is,” said Jonas. “I will do everything to get to where I want to go, the story isn’t over yet.”
“Enjoy your Christmas, have a good camp, and I’ll see you soon,” Price responded.
“Be careful what you wish for,” Jonas replied.
“Too quick, too fast, too strong,” said Price.
Jonas, 16-2 (9 KOs), started the contest on the front foot, roared on by her home crowd, pushing Habazin back onto the ropes and sinking in body shots. Jonas again started fast in the second, but Habazin, now 23-6 (7 KOs), started to grow into the fight and landed shots over her guard.
The third was scrappy, with both fighters coming together when trying to land shots. That changed late in the round, however, and Jonas sunk in a right to the body followed by a right to the head that brought a cheer from the crowd.
Jonas again found a home for her right hand in the fourth and hurt Habazin, forcing her to stumble back. The Croat covered up as Jonas unleashed more hooks to her head and body, but Habazin recovered well.
Habazin pressed the action in the fifth, determined not to let the fight get away from her. Jonas struggled to land the right hand that had brought her so much success and seemed a little frustrated.
In the sixth, Habazin again started strong, forcing Jonas back and landing a solid right hand followed by a right to the body. Jonas fought back and landed a right hand of her own but was outworked by the busier Habazin.
The seventh was hard to score, both fighters landed shots. Jonas landed harder and cleaner, while Habazin was busier. The eighth followed a similar pattern, with Habazin outworking Jonas but the Liverpudlian firing in counters. Jonas landed a cracking right hand counter at the end of the ninth but Habazin stood strong and again finished the round on the front foot.
The 10th was the most entertaining round of the contest, both fighters met center ring and traded hard shots. Jonas had the better of the exchanges, landing two big right hands that seemed to shake Habazin to her boots.
Jonas was awarded the victory with a score of 99-92, 99-91 and 100-90 on the scorecards. The judges gave Habazin little for the effort she put in, however, she accepted the decision with grace. Jonas will now surely face Price in a unification in 2025.
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