Natasha Jonas Leaps Up Three Weight Classes, Floors Chris Namus Twice To Capture First World Title

For the seemingly perennial tough-luck world title challenger Natasha Jonas, the third time proved to be the charm. On May Day 2021, former Olympic foil Katie Taylor just barely squeaked past Tasha in defense of her undisputed lightweight title and, nine months prior, Jonas fought to a controversial split draw with then-WBC/IBO super-featherweight champion Terri Harper. 

Saturday evening at Manchester Arena, Jonas at long last claimed her proverbial glass slipper, in the form of the WBO super-welterweight world title belt, to achieve the heretofore elusive happy ending that had been missing from her pugilistic Cinderella story. And she certainly didn’t need any Prince Charming to come to her rescue to get it.

Unlike some antiquated Disney princess, Tasha is more than capable of shaping her own destiny, thank you very much. Not that former world titleholder Chris Namus (25-6-0, 8 KOs) was going to sit quietly by and settle for being some poorly developed ancillary character in Jonas’ fairy tale. And yet, this is precisely what would happen.

When Tasha’s original opponent, Ewa Piatkowska, tested positive for Covid eight days out from fight night, Namus stepped up to bat as a late replacement. Having competed just twice in the last three years (outpointing Yamila Esther Reynoso in a 2019 six-rounder and dropping a unanimous decision to then-WBF and WIBA middleweight world champion Ema Kozin), Namus previously held the 154-pound IBF title. She and Jonas would be squabbling over proprietary rights to the vacant WBO strap in the same weight class.

This represented a significant weight differential from Jonas’ previous campaigns at lightweight (135) and super-featherweight (130). The question going into Saturday was, how would she be affected by carrying around twenty extra pounds against a boxer fighting in her natural weight class? And as far as Namus was concerned, how long would it take for her to shake off sixteen months' worth of accumulated ring rust with only a week's worth of preparation?

The answers to those questions became quite clear in no time at all once the bell rang in Manchester. Twice denied hard-fought championship glory, the 37-year-old Tasha simply would not be turned away again. Looking every bit as fleet of foot at 149 pounds as she had at her career-low 129, Jonas bounced on her toes and made use of her movement to make Namus follow her lead. However, she also displayed no reluctance in attacking the bigger, taller, and stronger yet slower and more stationary Namus behind her right jab, peppering the former world champion with straight lefts and keeping her adversary in check courtesy of well-timed right hand counters. 

Jonas landed a flush left hand lead over Namus' ponderous jab and followed it up with a right hook that sent the Uruguayan to the canvas for only the second time in her career, having previously been floored by Loli Munoz in their 2011 rematch which Chris would win by split decision regardless. With little time left in the opening frame as action resumed following referee Howard Foster's eight-count, Jonas nevertheless tried to close the show but to no avail.

The woman they call 'Miss GB' wouldn't have to wait long though, as she decked Namus again in the early moments of round two, this time with a straight left down the pike. Despite beating the count, Namus was not given the benefit of the doubt by Howard Foster, who waved the fight off at the 28 second mark. Chris' protestations notwithstanding, her corner appeared to have been on the verge of stopping the fight themselves, and Jonas' dream was suddenly made a reality.     

"You know what, I can't even put it in words. People think I exaggerate when I say it means everything, but they honestly don't know the sacrifices that not just boxers, but every athlete goes through. I've been through hell and back. I've been through ups and downs," acknowledged Jonas with the WBO title belt draped over her shoulder and a huge smile on her face. 

"I've got the best supportive family and friends in the world," the new champion continued, reserving the most special post-fight shout-out for her daughter Mela. "Mommy did it. This is for you. She's bringing the belt home."