Whatever happens in Matchroom’s back garden between Terri Harper and Natasha Jonas on Friday evening this historic night must not be an isolated event.
So says ‘Miss GB’ Jonas who will be attempting to take Harper’s WBC and IBO super-featherweight titles in a first all-British women’s world championship match and a unique moment when a female contest headlines a major, televised UK show, live on Sky Sports.
It had first been scheduled for April in Doncaster, on Terri’s doorstep, until the Coronavirus pandemic interrupted life, but now it will provide the climax for Eddie Hearn’s second Fight Camp in Brentwood.
“It was a good feeling, the first time I had been top of the bill,” Jonas (pictured) told punch-lines.
“Yes, it was in Terri’s backyard and I would have been going into the lion’s den, but that didn’t bother me.
“It is great that it is top of the bill.
“But when you get something like this, you start to want a little bit more, then a little bit more.
“Yes, we have made progress and, yes, that’s brilliant but we still have a long way to go.
“Promoters can do more, TV can do more to support women’s sport.
“It can be done, just look at UFC, with Ronda Rousey, Holly Holm, Amanda Nunes.
“They have proved it with the right backing and the right support that women’s sport can be as successful as men.
“We have to get away from the old ideology that it [female sport] is not as good.”
Just over 12 months ago, millions tuned into England’s bid to win the women’s World Cup in France, where, they sadly ended fourth.
Jonas has watched women’s sport grow in popularity and that only makes her impatient for further strides.
“Every sport has its eureka moment,” she explained. “In football, I think it started with the Euros and then BBC showed the World Cup which got big viewing figures.
“I remember getting up at 2am to see if England could beat Australia in the netball in the Commonwealth Games and the next thing you know is that Sky are showing the sport and last year’s World Cup gets packed out at the Liverpool Echo Arena every day.
“I can also remember me and my dad jumping up when the hockey girls won gold at the Olympics. These are great moments.”
How will tonight go in Essex?
If you only took notice of the bookies, there is only one winner, the recently-emerged talent that is Terri ‘Belter’ Harper. But ignore Natasha Jonas at your peril – having achieved so much as an amateur she is motivated to add that world professional title to her CV.
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Mark Robinson/ Matchroom
