Natasha Jonas’ head coach has urged her to retire, despite ‘Miss GB’ agreeing to face domestic rival Lauren Price in an all-British unification.
The 40-year-old secured a wide unanimous decision victory last night against seasoned operator Ivana Habazin, adding the WBC world welterweight strap to her collection.
After claiming the IBF title last year, Jonas entered her last showdown in Liverpool, England – her hometown – with a desire to cement her already decorated legacy.
But while a unification with WBA titlist Price is seemingly a done deal, the Brit’s long-term trainer, Joe Gallagher, has questioned the number of fights she has left.
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Natasha Jonas and Lauren Price agree to square off in a unification
Before winning her first meaningful title, Jonas gave boxing legend Katie Taylor one of her toughest tests back in 2021, losing a highly contentious unanimous decision.
But since then, the Olympian has had ample success campaigning in the higher divisions, becoming a two-weight world champion while also beating the likes of Mikaela Mayer and Marie Eve Dicaire.
Price, meanwhile, amassed six comprehensive victories before dethroning WBA belt holder Jessica McCaskill with a scintillating performance earlier this year.
Appearing on the undercard of Jonas last night, the Olympic gold medallist then made an emphatic defense of her crown against Bexcy Mateus, producing a destructive third-round finish.
Not only that, but the 30-year-old has established herself as one of the most skilled operators on women’s boxing, always utilizing her elite footwork and blistering hand speed.
And so, in a mouth-watering crossroads matchup, it appears that Price will now look to extend her unbeaten record against Jonas.
Joe Gallagher wants Natasha Jonas to retire
Despite her remarkable run of form in recent years, Gallagher has suggested that it could be time for Jonas to hang up the gloves.
“I want Natasha to retire, she’s phenomenal, I have to call her George Foreman now because of her age, it’s fantastic when things are going well but being experienced and being in fights, Father Time catches up,” he told Sky Sports.
“It’s hard for me sometimes as a coach being involved with somebody like Tasha in a brutal sport, she’s a mother, a woman, a huge ambassador. It doesn’t sit well with me at times, but she’s stubborn.”
While, at the age of 40, Jonas should be a far cry from her physical prime, it seems as though she has shown few signs of regression, with some of her best performances arriving in more recent years.
That said, Price has the talent and tenacity to expose any chinks in her next opponent’s armour, with the formidable southpaw ultimately looking to forge her own legacy in the sport.