Natasha Jonas’ demolition of Monika
Antonik on her professional debut vindicates her decision to
come out of retirement to turn professional and is another shot
in the arm for women’s boxing.
Having ditched the idea of becoming
a professional footballer, Jonas took up boxing in 2005 and
enjoyed an excellent amateur career, becoming the first ever
British female boxer to compete at an Olympic Games.
It was no disgrace to lose to
Ireland’s Katie Taylor at London 2012 but it seemed as though
she would be lost to the sport after hanging up her gloves in
2015.
But, after giving birth to daughter
Mela and with women’s professional boxing becoming more popular
and gaining increasing media coverage, the 33-year-old opted to
come out of retirement and follow the likes of Taylor and
compatriot Nicola Adams into the professional ranks.
The defeat saw Antonik’s record slip
to four defeats from five pro fights and it was not the most
testing of starts for Jonas but a win is a win and she was
ruthless in ending the fight.
Jonas will now hope for a quick
return to the ring to move up the rankings, with a world title
shot the ultimate aim, but the fact that another Olympian has
opted to turn pro and make a living from the sport augers well
for the future.
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Although women boxing as
professionals in the UK is still in its fledgling stage, the
fact that they are able to get in the ring in front of hundreds
of fans shows how far it has already come in winning over the
doubters.
Legendary promotor Frank Warren had
always been an ardent opponent of professional women’s boxing
but has opted to take Adams under his wing after a change of
heart.
He recognised the Leeds-born star’s
popularity after she claimed a second Olympic gold and is now
right behind the popular fighter and looking to keep her “as
busy as we can”.
A lack of depth in women’s boxing
was one of the obstacles he saw but, with US and Mexican
fighters mirroring the success of their male counterparts, the
fights do appear to be out there.
Taylor, another 2012 gold medallist
and five-time world champion, seems to be the flag bearer for pro
women fighters since she ended her amateur career and won the
first of five bouts in November last year.
The 30-year-old has already taken
care of opponents from Poland, Brazil, Italy, Bulgaria and
Germany and it will not be long before she gets a shot at a
world title.
Jonas has a while to go before she
reaches that level but the early signs are good for both her and
the sport in Britain which is continuing to overcome all obstacles
and gain the credibility it needs to grow.