Prior to her fight against Kandi Wyatt on Saturday night, Natasha Jonas expressed her desire to seek revenge for a specific defeat in her career.
Jonas will be competing in the welterweight division as she faces Canadian opponent Wyatt at the AO Arena in Manchester. Her goal is to add the WBO belt to her collection, which currently consists of three titles at 154lbs.
Despite unsuccessful attempts to arrange a rematch against Terri Harper and a showdown against Claressa Shields, Jonas has come up with an alternative plan.
In 2021, Jonas, who has a record of 13-2-1 (8), reunited with her old amateur rival Katie Taylor. This was nine months following their split draw against Harper. Boxing matches were held without an audience due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but Taylor, Jonas, and Harper managed to deliver spectacular fights.
The Taylor vs. Jonas fight was everything we had hoped for, but it was the Irishwoman who emerged victorious after ten rounds.
In an interview with Sky Sports, both Jonas and her trainer Joe Gallagher agreed that a rematch is necessary.
“Without a doubt, I need to put my mind at ease. I need revenge!” said Jonas.
Gallagher added, “I’ve told Tasha, ‘Your perfect farewell fight would be against Katie Taylor. It doesn’t require world titles, just the two of you, two old rivals from the past 12 or 13 years, having one last dance and bidding farewell together’.”
“I still believe it would be a competitive fight. It’s a rivalry that we would love to see again. The last fight in Manchester, even without an audience, was fantastic, and it would be great for the public to witness it.
“It would be a fitting end for both of them, that’s just me being romantic!”
Taylor herself has a rematch to settle. After her recent loss to Chantelle Cameron, the two leading ladies are expected to face each other again later this year. Promoter Eddie Hearn is looking to reunite them in November.