Natasha Jonas ticked off the latest milestone in her glittering career by becoming Liverpool’s first two-weight world champion on Saturday night.
Jonas cemented herself as one of the most decorated British boxers of all time after she stopped Kandi Wyatt at the AO Arena to win the vacant IBF welterweight title. The WBC, WBO and IBF super-welterweight champion had once wondered whether belts would ever fall her way as opportunities against Terri Harper and Katie Taylor passed her by; now, no matter what happens next, she will be remembered as a history maker.
Jonas made her way to the ring oozing confidence, and much to the delight of those who had made the short trip down the M62, she landed a huge left hand in the opening minute of the fight that staggered Wyatt and sent her back to the ropes. The Canadian managed to make it to the end of the round, but it was a sign of things to come as Wyatt found herself on the back foot in rounds two, three and four, with the 32-year-old being somewhat of a static target for 'Miss GB'.
'Miss GB', who is trained by Joe Gallagher at Champs Camp in Manchester, started round five with more urgency, clattering a one-two combination through Wyatt's guard before the 39-year-old landed several more punches cleanly in the sixth. To her credit, Wyatt offered an admirable account of both her toughness and engine, but by the time the fight reached the seventh round, referee Marcus McDonnell was taking a concerned look at her.
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The ending now felt inevitable, and it was no surprise when, after Jonas landed another smart left 30 seconds into round eight, referee McDonnell had seen enough and waved the contest off.
"They don’t get much better than this," Jonas told the ECHO after the fight. "I think I am known for a slow start, and I get progressively better the more the rounds go on.
"I’ve been trying to get out of that habit, and I thought she would start a lot brighter knowing that, so we have been talking about switching on and starting fast.
"You still get nervous, but it is how you control them, and sometimes you can be too simulated; it is all about controlling them. I’ve learned how to master that."
