December 14th simply acquired much more bloated, as Boxxer revealed a present at Liverpool’s Exhibition Centre headlined by a welterweight title unification between Natasha Jonas and Ivana Habazin.
Following back-to-back failed title bids in opposition to Terri Harper at 130 and Katie Taylor at 135, Jonas (15-2-1, 9 KO) jumped all the best way to 154, swiftly selecting up three titles earlier than dropping to 147 and taking out Kandi Wyatt for the vacant IBF belt. This arrange a high-profile showdown with Mikaela Mayer that the majority felt went the American’s approach, although two judges gave it to native favourite Jonas.
Habazin (23-5, 7 KO) has fallen quick in all her greatest fights thus far, sporting losses to the likes of Cecilia Braekhus, Claressa Shields, and the aforementioned Harper, however does personal the WBC title after beating Hungary’s Kinga Magyar in April.
Jonas stated: “I’m excited to be again with one other large world title struggle at residence in Liverpool. To get the possibility to win one other world title and to unify the IBF and WBC world titles goes to be particular. Ivana Habazin is a good champion. She has gained a number of world titles and fought a few of the greatest on this planet. I’m anticipating a troublesome struggle however I’m able to show that I’m the primary within the division.
Habazin: “It will likely be an honour for me to unify the WBC and IBF world welterweight titles. I beforehand held the IBF world title and I sit up for profitable the belt once more. I’ve quite a lot of respect for Natasha. She has been an excellent champion all through her profession. She is without doubt one of the excellent feminine fighters within the sport at present and beating her will give me the popularity that I’ve lengthy deserved.
“I’ve visited Liverpool a number of occasions and it’s my favorite metropolis within the UK, so I’m very excited to be preventing in her hometown. Whereas it could be winter in Liverpool on December 14, I imagine Natasha and I’ll carry some a lot wanted warmth and Christmas cheer to these inside the world. I simply hope the judging might be truthful and Santa doesn’t come to provide Natasha an early Christmas current.”
Whereas it’s not precisely a blockbuster matchup, it’s meant to steer into one. WBA champion Lauren Worth (7-0, 1 KO), who retired Jessica McCaskill in Might, will defend her title in opposition to Bexcy Mateus (7-0, 6 KO) within the co-feature. I do know Jonas vs Worth is the struggle to make, however I really feel prefer it’s been years since we’ve had a correct Unheralded Colombian Puncher upset so I’m pulling for Mateus.
Worth: “I’m excited to be out defending my belts to complete what has been an enormous 12 months for me. I’ve full respect for Mateus. I’ll show I’m one of the best within the division and I gained’t let something, or anybody, stand in my approach of turning into undisputed.”
Stephen McKenna (15-0, 14 KO), Viddal Riley (11-0, 6 KO), and Mark Jeffers (18-0, 5 KO) all see motion on the undercard.
