Boxing can be a minefield to follow at the best of times, but this is a fight you do not want to miss – so here’s the lowdown on everything you need to know.
What channel is it on?
The fight is on Sky Sports Box office, but be warned it will sting you £19.95
What time will Taylor v Jonas start?
Taylor’s ring walk is expected to be around 9pm. It is the co-main event but will be the penultimate bout of the night, followed by Chisora v Parker in their heavyweight clash.
Who is Natasha Jonas?
Jonas is a former Olympian from Liverpool. The GB star had high hopes going into the pro-game but after suffering a stoppage defeat to Viviane Obenauf in just her 7th fight, many ruled her out as a future world champion.
However, after a string of victories and a career best performance against current IBO and WBC champion Terri Harper, Jonas looks better than ever. Although her fight with Harper was scored as a draw, it proved to be a controversial decision with most pundits agreeing that Jonas had won the fight.
As far as her coach, Joe Gallagher is concerned, she is already a world champion.
What weight is the fight at?
The fight is at lightweight, with both fighters weighing in under the 9 st 8 lbs limit.
Jonas has moved up to this division, following the aforementioned draw with super-featherweight champ, Terri Harper.
Who’s the favourite?
Despite Jonas being on a hot-streak and fighting better than she has ever done, it’s the Wicklow native who’s a strong favourite going into the bout. Taylor is currently the undisputed lightweight champion and is undefeated in the pro-ranks.
What belts are on the line?
Boxing has four main sanctioning bodies that are deemed as the four recognised world title belts. Whoever holds these belts can call themselves a world champion, but it usually means there is more than one champion per weight division.
Taylor currently holds all four of the belts, the WBO, WBC, IBF and WBA, making her the undisputed champion. The Ring Magazine belt, which is only given to those who are deemed by the popular magazine as the number one overall in the division, is also in Taylor’s possession.
If Jonas wins, will she get all of Taylor’s belts?
It’s for all the marbles. Even though Taylor collected each of these belts individually, they are sitting in a lovely pile for Jonas to possess if she manages to pull off an upset.
Is there history between the fighters?
Taylor and Jonas have met before a few times in the amateur ranks, with the most famous fight being in the 2012 London Olympics. Taylor won a brilliant bout in that instance to go on and win an Olympic gold medal.
Both fighters say that their Olympic fight is irrelevant now, considering that it was nine years ago and they have both improved considerably since then.
Who are their trainers?
American Ross Enamait has coached Taylor throughout her entire pro career after a controversial split between the Bray girl and her father Peter Taylor, who trained her all through the amateurs.
Mancunian Joe Gallagher is in Jonas’ corner and has vast experience in training world champions, including Scott Quigg, Anthony Crolla and the Smith brothers. Gallagher has been critical of Sky Sports and Matchroom for being biased in their commentary in the past and calls for a fight with “fair commentary and scoring” this time around.
What is the full running order for tonight?
- Derek Chisora vs Joseph Parker (Main event)
- Katie Taylor vs Natasha Jonas – for Taylor’s undisputed lightweight titles
- Dmitry Bivol vs Craig Richards – for Bivol’s WBA light-heavyweight title
- Chris Eubank Jr v Marcus Morrison
- James Tennyson v Jovanni Straffon – for vacant IBO lightweight title
- Campbell Hatton v Levi Dunn
- Scott Fitzgerald v Gregory Trenel (First fight of the night)
