Natasha Jonas, IBF welterweight world champion, will face Ivana Habazin, the current WBC world champion, in a highly anticipated title unification clash. The fight will take place on Saturday, December 14, at the Liverpool Exhibition Centre, serving as the main event of the card broadcast live by Sky Sports.
The Toxteth, Liverpool, native aims to cement her position at the top of the division as she fights in her hometown for the sixth consecutive time in a world title bout. Jonas, who defended her IBF title in January against American fighter Mikaela Mayer, seeks to unify the titles and further solidify her legacy in women’s boxing.
The 40-year-old has experienced a remarkable career resurgence since her lightweight showdown with Katie Taylor in 2021. Since then, she has remained unbeaten, successfully unifying the IBF, WBC, and WBO titles in the super welterweight division.
In a recent interview with Sky Sports, Natasha Jonas discussed her expectations for the unification bout against Ivana Habazin.
She also expressed her excitement about having another title fight in her hometown of Liverpool.
“To get the chance to win another world title and to unify the IBF and WBC world titles is going to be special. Ivana Habazin is a great champion. She has won multiple world titles and fought some of the best in the world,” Jonas stated.
“I’m expecting a tough fight but I’m ready to prove that I’m the number one in the division,” added Jonas.
Ivana Habazin, the WBC world champion, comes into the fight with the experience of having shared the ring with notable figures like Cecilia Brækhus and Claressa Shields.
The 35-year-old Croatian claimed the vacant WBC title in April by defeating Kinga Magyar, and now she aims to make history by unifying the welterweight world titles on foreign soil.
“It will be an honour for me to unify the WBC and IBF world welterweight titles,” said Habazin.
Habazin highlighted that she had previously held the IBF title and is now eager to reclaim it. The Croatian boxer also showed respect for Jonas, whom she considers one of the best fighters today.
Habazin noted that defeating Natasha Jonas in her hometown would bring her greater recognition. She also shared her enthusiasm about fighting in Liverpool, a city she has visited several times and considers her favourite in the UK.
Meanwhile, BOXXER founder and CEO Ben Shalom emphasized the magnitude of this fight, noting that the showdown between Jonas and Habazin will be a high-quality clash between two champions.
Shalom pointed out that Natasha Jonas seeks to solidify her legacy as one of the best boxers of her generation. He also indicated that a victory could pave the way for a potential bout against Lauren Price in 2025.
✅ CONFIRMED: Natasha Jonas will face Ivana Habazin on Dec. 14 at the Exhibition Centre in Liverpool for the WBC and IBF Welterweight titles. pic.twitter.com/09Q0MFGyp5
— EverythingBoxing (@EverythingBoxi2) November 16, 2024
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