Natasha Jonas has warned boxing experts not to write off her chances of world title glory on age grounds.
The 36-years-young Scouser will challenge for Terri Harper’s WBC and IBO super-featherweight crowns on Friday’s second instalment of the Matchroom Fight Camp.
If you believe the bookmakers this is a miss-match, no pun intended, with unbeaten Yorkshire girl Harper (left) 1-14 with Paddy Power with Jonas (right) at 7-1.
But the 2012 Olympian says the fact she’s had 13 more birthdays than the champion is immaterial where this all-British world title blockbuster is conerned.
“I don’t really think about it, age is not part of my mindset,” she told punch-lines.
“I’m not like a lad who’s been boxing since they were 10, I didn’t take up the sport until I was 21.
“People might think I am old, but I am not boxing old of that makes sense.
“And, especially in women’s boxing, if you look at the age of some of the champions, like Eva Wahlström, women boxers tend to last longer.”
Jonas is correct on that score, there is no shortage of female champions at what would be considered veteran status.
Harper is the favourite and correctly so.
The 23-year-old has been like a breath of fresh air, breezing through the professional game after a limited amateur career, beating Wahlström in only her 10th paid contest to become the WBC and IBO champ.
Jonas, meanwhile, is looking to add professional glory to a glittering amateur career, which includes medals at European and World championships.
But the odds go against her following a bad beating she took at the hands of Viviane Obenauf, the Swiss-based Brazilian that Harper subsequently defeated comfortably on points.
“I definitely feel like the underdog in this fight judging by the bookies and a little bit of social media,” added the Liverpool southpaw.
“I think anyone that knows about boxing knows that you can’t write a person off just on one performance.
“I know I’ve done everything that I could possibly do in this camp and more.
“I believe I can do it. Power is something I’ve always had, I have a good knockout percentage, I know that I carry power.
“If I land cleanly, she will go.”
Predictably, Terri says if there is to be a KO in Matchroom’s back garden, it will be her gloves inflicting it.
“If I land a good shot on Tasha? Lights out,” said the unbeaten fighter from Denaby. “ Tasha’s knockout rate? She has fought nobodies. Who has she stepped in the ring with? Tasha has not proven herself. They will have a big shock on Friday.”
It will indeed be a shock if Jonas can overturn the wide odds, but she should not be written off, certainly not on age grounds.
Following the roaring success of week one of Matchroom Fight Camp, this could be another spectacular scrap.
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Mark Robinson/ Matchroom
