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Liverpool bomber Natasha Jonas 11-2-1 (8) put on a near perfect display of power boxing to knockout Chris Nunas 25-7 (8) in two rounds to claim the vacant WBO junior middleweight title at Manchester Arena in Manchester, England on Saturday night.
The fight was the main support bout to the grudge match between Kell Brook and Amir Khan.
The 37-year-old southpaw got out of the blocks quickly, slipping a jab to land a left cross, right hook combination that sent a stunned Nunas to the deck in the first.
Nunas, 34, survived the round, but things didn’t get much better for the Uruguayan in the second. Jonas quickly had her on the canvas again and although she beat the count, referee Howard Foster wisely determined she was in no fit state to continue.
The time of the stoppage was 0:28.
It was the third time lucky for Jonas, who had previously gone the distance with Terri Harper and amateur rival Katie Taylor in world title bids at 130 and 135 pounds. Those bouts ended in a split draw (94-96, 96-95 and 95-95) and unanimous decision loss (95-96, 94-96 and 95-96) respectively.
The Nunas bout took place at 154-pounds, three weight classes higher than Jonas’ preferred division of lightweight.
“I can’t even put it in words. People think I exaggerate when I say it means everything. People don’t know the sacrifices that not just boxers but every athlete goes through. I’ve been through hell and back, with a lot of ups and downs,” Jonas said.
“[Trainer] Joe Gallagher has stood by my side throughout it all and never gets the congratulations when I do well, but people criticise him when it goes wrong. We worked for so long and it makes it all worth it for what I’ve got on my shoulder.
“I have the best support and family and friends in the world. My little girl is at home, and mummy did it. This is for her, I’m bringing the belt home!”
Jonas added: “I was prepared for a hard battle and I knew it would be. I’ve got to give her props, she took it at short notice but I respected who she was and what she came with.
“I knew if I did everything I did in sparring and brought it into the ring, I would win. It was just a case of how I did it.
“You never want to do overtime in this sport and I had her in the first round. Joe said ‘go at her’ and that’s what I did. Luckily enough I got the stoppage.”
Next up for Jonas could be a world title unification bout against WBA champion Hannah Rankin 11-5 (2) of Scotland.
“I think it makes sense,” said promoter Ben Shalom. “She wants to unify next and I’m sure we can make it happen.”
Jonas said: “I respect Hannah, she’s a champion. But I believe that I can do it. I’m confident that I can do the business.”
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