A Jonas victory on December 14 puts her on a collision course with WBA, IBO & The Ring Magazine World Champion Lauren Price MBE in a massive ‘Battle of Britain’ unification match
A stacked undercard will be announced soon
IBF World Champion Natasha Jonas will fight WBC World Title holder Ivana Habazin in a huge hometown unification showdown on Saturday, December 14th at the Exhibition Centre in Liverpool, presented by BOXXER, live and exclusive on Sky Sports in the UK and Ireland and Peacock in the USA.
A win for Jonas will put her on a collision course with Lauren Price MBE, the WBA, IBO & Ring Magazine World Champion early next year.
2023 Boxer of the Year Jonas (15-2-1, 9 KOs) will top the bill in her hometown of Liverpool in her sixth straight world title contest under the BOXXER promotional banner.
‘Miss GB’ Jonas edged a split decision victory in an epic back-and-forth battle with former unified world champion Mikaela Mayer last time out at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool in January.
Undefeated in her last six fights, the 40-year-old from Toxteth will now look to cement her position at the top of the welterweight division as she bids to become a two-weight unified world champion having previously unified the WBC, WBO and IBF World Titles at super welterweight.
Habazin (23-6, 7 KOs) is the current WBC World Champion having outpointed Kinga Magyar to capture the vacant green and gold belt in April this year. The 35-year-old from Zagreb, Croatia, who has shared the ring with some of the greatest female fighters of the modern era including Cecilia Brækhus and Claressa Shields, has previously held the IBF World Welterweight Title and is also a former IBO World Middleweight Champion.
Natasha Jonas said: “I’m excited to be back with another big world title fight at home in 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. I’m expecting a tough fight but I’m ready to prove that I’m the number one in the division. With the backing of my home fans, there’s no way I can lose.”
Ivana Habazin said: “It will be an honour for me to unify the WBC and IBF World Welterweight Titles. I previously held the IBF World Title and I look forward to winning the belt again. I have a lot of respect for Natasha. She has been a great champion throughout her career. She is one of the outstanding female fighters in the sport today and beating her will give me the recognition that I have long deserved.
“I have visited Liverpool several times and it’s my favourite city in the UK, so I’m very excited to be fighting in her hometown. While it may be winter in Liverpool on December 14th, I believe Natasha and I will bring some much needed heat and Christmas cheer to those inside the arena. I just hope the judging will be fair and Santa doesn’t come to give Natasha an early Christmas present.”
BOXXER Founder and CEO Ben Shalom said: “Natasha Jonas is back in her hometown for a huge world title unification showdown. It’s champion versus champion as Natasha goes toe-to-toe with WBC World title holder Ivana Habazin. This is a must-win fight for Natasha as she looks to cement her legacy as one of the greatest female fighters of her generation. A win on December 14th can set up more career-defining fights for Natasha including a massive all-British world title unification showdown with Lauren Price early next year to determine who is number one in the welterweight division.”
Tickets, starting from £40, go on sale next week.
12pm, Monday, 18 November: BOXXER exclusive pre-sale
12pm, Tuesday, 19 November: General sale
Sign up now for access to presale tickets and exclusive discounts at BOXXER.com.
This event is presented in association with official partners Betfred, HELL Energy, That Prize Guy and Riyadh Season.
