Jonas and Price Secure Wins, Paving Way for 2025 Unification Fight

Natasha Jonas and Lauren Price each successfully defended their respective welterweight world titles with victories in Liverpool, thereby establishing the groundwork for an all-British unification bout scheduled for 2025. Price, representing Wales, secured her WBA title defense by decisively stopping Bexcy Mateus, while Jonas subsequently dominated Ivana Habazin across 10 rounds. The 40-year-old IBF champion, Jonas, expanded her accolades by acquiring the WBC title, thereby becoming a two-weight unified champion. The prospective fight is reportedly planned for March in London, and the two boxers converged in the ring following the confirmation of Jonas’ comprehensive points win. Following an initial exchange characterized by respectful answers regarding a potential future contest, Jonas provoked Price by stating: “Be careful what you wish for, be careful what you ask for.” The 30-year-old Price responded with: “Too young, too quick, too good,” prior to Jonas drawing a comparison between Price’s confidence and that of Terri Harper before their 2020 encounter. The aforementioned fight concluded in a split decision draw, and Jonas remarked that Price was “not much better” than Harper. Price countered by asserting her status as an Olympic champion, prompting Jonas to retort: “When all the good people had left.” Regarding the prospective fight, the undefeated Price commented that it would be “massive” for the British public. She stated: “When I turned over as Olympic champion I wanted to be involved in massive fights.” She added: “It’s one hell of a fight for British fans and boxing in general.” In only her seventh professional contest, Price secured a world title, making her the first female boxing world champion ever from Wales. This recent triumph extends a notable sporting career that also encompasses four senior world kickboxing titles and international representation for Wales in football. Meanwhile, Jonas has claimed her fifth world title across merely six bouts within three years, maintaining a period of exceptional performance even as she approaches the conclusion of her career. Lauren Price became the first Welsh world champion when she beat Jessica McCaskill in May 2024. Approximately 4,000 spectators gathered at the Exhibition Centre to observe what could potentially be Jonas’ last professional boxing appearance in Liverpool. Price was the first to compete during the event, knocking Mateus down three times, each instance delivered by her left hand, prior to the referee halting the contest in the third round. The match was predominantly one-sided, with Price demonstrating superior skill against her Colombian adversary and conveying a clear message to Jonas regarding her knockout capability. This stoppage marked only the second of Price’s eight-fight professional career. She commented: “With speed comes power, I enjoyed myself in there tonight.” She further stated: “I wanted to make a bit of a statement.” With Price’s declaration still resonating, the hometown favorite, Jonas, elicited a standing ovation from her supporters during her ringwalk. The audience expressed their encouragement with each punch Jonas connected, though the initial rounds showed little separation between the two champions. Nevertheless, in the fourth round, Jonas delivered a significant right hook, causing Habazin to stagger backward within the ring. Jonas pursued, unleashing a barrage of punches on her opponent in an attempt to secure a finish, but Habazin demonstrated a strong recovery. The Liverpudlian maintained an aggressive approach throughout the contest, landing several powerful right hooks that did not appear to significantly affect the Croatian. Jonas displayed her superior skill in the final rounds, effectively managing Habazin’s attacks and responding with notable movement and punches as she concluded the fight. Following the final bell, the judges’ scorecards were announced as 99-92, 99-91, and 100-90, all unanimously favoring Jonas. While Price’s performance might position her as a slight favorite, Jonas once more showcased her skill and seasoned expertise. Price was Wales’ first female boxing world champion when she won her world title in May. Jonas turned 40 during the summer, but has won all her world titles in the last three years. Price is yet to lose a round in her career so far. Price may be a slight favorite if she and Jonas fight after her knockout performance.