Natasha Jonas Defends Title Amid Controversy

January 24, 2024

Jonas Retains Title in Controversial Split Decision Over Mayer

In a closely contested battle, Natasha Jonas successfully defended her IBF welterweight world championship against American challenger Mikaela Mayer. The bout, which took place in Liverpool, stretched the full ten rounds and concluded with a split decision that has sparked debate among boxing enthusiasts and pundits alike.

Controversy Surrounds Judges' Scorecards

The judges' scorecards were at the center of the controversy, with one judge scoring the fight in favor of Mayer, while the remaining two saw Jonas as the victor. This divergence in scores has led to discussions regarding the subjectivity of scoring in boxing and the challenges faced by judges in bouts that are so evenly matched. Despite the dispute over the outcome, Jonas was confident in her performance, feeling that she had secured the win by a margin of two rounds. Her sentiment was echoed by her trainer, Joe Gallagher, whose round-by-round judgment concurred with Jonas's self-assessment.

Mayer Expresses Disagreement with Decision

Mikaela Mayer, on the other hand, did not agree with the decision. The American boxer left the ring believing that she had done enough to dethrone the champion. The split decision has certainly left Mayer and her team considering their next steps and pondering the potential for an appeal or immediate rematch.

Jonas Acknowledges Tough Middle Rounds

Jonas admitted to facing difficulties during the middle segments of the fight, acknowledging that she made it harder for herself than necessary. Despite this, she remained resolute in her belief that she emerged as the rightful winner, summing up the encounter by stating, "All in all, I won. I grinded it out."

"Sometimes you can box brilliantly and lose or draw, whatever it is, and the decision doesn't go your way. Sometimes you can scrape a win, and I think I did that," Jonas reflected on the nature of the sport where outcomes can sometimes be disconnected from performance.

Potential Rematch on the Horizon

When discussing the possibility of a rematch with Mayer, Jonas was open to the idea, indicating that it will be considered among the options for her next fight. The decision on who to face next will be made after careful deliberation with her team about the opportunities available. "If that's Mikaela Mayer, we'll choose Mikaela Mayer. If that's Lauren Price, we choose her. If that's Jessica McCaskill, we choose her. If that's Katie Taylor, we choose her," Jonas stated, demonstrating her willingness to take on all comers in the pursuit of solidifying her legacy in the welterweight division.

Respect for the Professional Journey

Reflecting on the high-level competition, Jonas expressed respect for both her own professional journey and that of Mayer's. She highlighted the hard work and dedication required to reach the pinnacle of women's boxing, noting that both fighters have been through rigorous training and competition cycles, including the Olympics and the elite amateur ranks. "It was hard work, exactly what I thought. Two class operators and two top-class female fighters who have been well schooled, been in the Olympic cycle, been the hard route, been in through the amateurs and that elite level," Jonas remarked, underscoring the quality and skill both athletes brought to the ring. As the dust settles on this contentious title defense, the boxing community eagerly awaits the announcement of Jonas's next opponent. Whether it leads to a direct rematch with Mayer or a new challenge against the likes of Lauren Price, Jessica McCaskill, or Katie Taylor, fans can expect another display of top-tier boxing from the reigning IBF welterweight world champion, Natasha Jonas.