Natasha Jonas finally realised her world title dream at the third time of asking with an emphatic stoppage victory in Manchester on Saturday night.
'Miss GB' defied a three-division weight jump to blitz experienced Uruguayan opponent Chris Namus inside two rounds in the chief support act to the long-awaited grudge match between Amir Khan and Kell Brook at AO Arena, picking up the vacant women's WBO super-welterweight title in the process.
It means Jonas finally became a world champion aged 37 after previously battling to a thrilling draw against Terri Harper when challenging for the WBC and IBO super-featherweight titles in August 2020 and then being narrowly beaten by old Olympic foe and undisputed lightweight champion Katie Taylor last May.
The Liverpool favourite started in sublime fashion against ex-junior middleweight champion Namus, unleashing a barrage of punches and slipping cleverly around her opponent’s jab as a left hand straight down the middle followed by a vicious right hook sent her sprawling to the canvas.
Namus - supported on the night by compatriot and Manchester United striker Edinson Cavani - was saved by the bell at the end of the first, but the onslaught continued early in the second and she was soon sent staggering back to the mat as referee Howard Foster stopped the one-sided contest before her corner could throw in the towel.
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