Fighter Focus: How Natasha Jonas went from retirement to two-weight champ

Natasha Jonas can’t stop winning. ‘Miss GB’ has entered the ring in each of her last four fights with a world title on the line. On each occasion, she has added a new belt to her swelling collection of leather and gold. For the former amateur trailblazer it came to be seen as business as usual. But as Jonas prepares to face Mikaela Mayer, we will look back on a time when that wasn’t the case.

Much was expected when Jonas turned pro in 2017. She had made history as the first female boxer to compete for Team GB at the Olympics. At London 2012 the proud Liverpudlian reached the quarter-final, where she was unlucky to run into the phenom that is Katie Taylor.

Natasha’s crossover into the pro ranks would take a little longer to materialise. The women’s boxing scene was not as welcoming a decade ago and Jonas thought herself better off remaining in the unpaid code. A silver medal at the 2014 European Championships in Budapest justified her decision.

In 2015, Jonas retired from the sport. A spate of injuries led her to call it a day at the age of 30. She would spend two years out of the ring, satisfied with an amateur career that will go down in history. But her story was not over yet. Not by a long shot.

Jonas would return and go pro in 2017, with her old rival Taylor having helped smooth the road for the best female amateurs to get a fair shake in the professional game. The paid arm of the sport suited Jonas and she racked up five knockouts in her first six contests. An attraction beyond her native Liverpool, she had successful outings in London, Manchester, Newcastle and Oldham too. 

But then the wheels came off. Brazil’s Vivian Obernauf stopped Jonas in four rounds at the Cardiff Ice Arena in Wales. Just over a year into her career, ‘Miss GB’ had tasted defeat. While the loss would age well, with Obernauf going on to challenge for world titles on multiple occasions, it still devastated Jonas.

The super featherweight rebuilt, putting together a run of three wins with two inside the distance. Jonas’ efforts secured a coveted title shot against WBC champion Terri Harper. The ensuing tear-up, held in the grounds of Matchroom HQ in Brentwood due to the COVID-19 pandemic, would land on many Fight of the Year lists. But Harper’s WBC belt would not land on Jonas’ mantle. Their exhilarating 10-round contest was called a draw. Another setback for Jonas.

But what the Scouse star had proved was that she belonged at world title level. She had taken ‘Belter’ to the absolute limit, with many feeling Jonas had done enough to win. Jonas would seek a rematch next, but not with Harper. Instead, ‘Miss GB’ moved up to lightweight to renew hostilities with an amateur foe.

Jonas secured the most coveted fight in the sport when she signed on to face Katie Taylor for the undisputed lightweight title. The AO Arena in Manchester would host the fight, a handy distance for a number of Jonas’ hometown supporters to make the short journey from Liverpool.

But they could not roar her to victory. Again the fight was close and thrilling. Again, Jonas proved that she belonged in contention for the highest honours. But once again she was left belt-less, with Taylor securing a narrow unanimous decision. 

The effect on Jonas’ career was almost catastrophic. Once again retirement crossed her mind. Having come up agonisingly short in two world title bouts and at the age of 37, it felt like the only way was down from here. But you don’t become Team GB’s first female Olympic boxer through lack of determination. Jonas did what she always does; bit down on her gumshield and went back to war.

Vaida Masiokaite was swept aside in six rounds before Jonas made a decision that would alter the course of her career. The Liverpool superstar moved up to the light middleweight division, skipping two weight classes along the way. It was a bold move but it would pay untold dividends.

First, Jonas achieved her dream by lifting a world title. Three-time world champion Chris Namus was toppled in two rounds for the vacant WBO belt. Then came a unanimous decision in a unification fight with unbeaten Patricia Berghult, who had previously conquered Britain’s Hannah Rankin.

Perhaps Jonas’ biggest win yet followed. Headlining the AO Arena, Jonas exorcised the demons of the Taylor defeat by decisioning IBF champion Marie-Eve Dicaire to claim a third world title in as many fights. From falling agonisingly short of winning belts to racking up so many she needed a new trophy case; Jonas had arrived.

As if that wasn’t enough, Jonas dropped down to become a two-weight world champion in 2023. In her only bout of the year, she captured the IBF welterweight title with an eighth-round stoppage of Kandi Wyatt. Jonas’ transition from nearly-woman to decorated multi-time world champion was complete.

Now, the 39-year-old risks all she has built against Mikaela Mayer. The IBF welterweight belt will be on the line in one of the biggest fights announced for 2024 so far. The Echo Arena in Liverpool appropriately plays host to Jonas’ title defence. But whatever happens in her backyard that night, Jonas’ place in history is secure. An iconic amateur and a superb professional. Finally, after retirement, after defeat and after adversity; she’s got the title belts to prove it.

 You can find all our latest boxing tips and analysis at our Betfred Insights Boxing page