Boxing
Natasha Jonas: Katie Taylor may be the favourite but that gives me hope
Natasha Jonas may be seen as the underdog ahead of her fight with Katie Taylor but she is confident that she could cause an upset.
Jonas and Taylor meet on May 1 as part of the undercard for Derek Chisora vs. Joseph Parker. It represents a rematch for the pair after they fought at the 2012 Olympics, with Taylor the winner.
Speaking to Sky Sports, 36-year-old Jonas explained she had improved since that defeat, saying: "I believe so. I'm strong, I punch better, my shot selection is better, I'm fitter. I believe in these things.
"To totally write me off is the wrong thing to do.
"Sometimes I am guilty of going down to an opponent's level or not raising my game. But in situations where I'm the underdog? I always do well.
"I was never expecting to qualify for the Olympics but I did that.
"There have been a lot of times in my career when I've been the favourite and things haven't worked out for me. But when I'm the underdog I get through the challenge.
"I'm not the same person, she's not the same person. It's about who we are right at this present time.
"I'm not fighting her ego, I'm fighting the woman in front of me, and she's doing the same."
Jonas has seen a career resurgence after a split-decision draw against WBC super featherweight belt holder Terri Harper last year.
Harper was the favourite for that fight but Jonas thinks she will be able to pull off another surprise.
Jonas said: "I've heard all this before and it wasn't long ago, and I proved those people wrong.
"One of the biggest things for me was being mentally right. For the Terri Harper camp, people said I couldn't do it, I was too old, unfit, struggled at the weight, she was the new up-and-the-comer. The more motivation and drive it gave me.
"Mentally I was absolutely flying and I will get myself back there.
"I've announced myself at world level, I've dusted off the Viviane Obenauf [defeat] and I'm here to stay."
Discussing Taylor, Jonas said that she believes she is the number one in women’s boxing.
"There are accolades to say otherwise. But from amateur all the way through, she has been the standout performer. She's the one that most people look up to. She set the bar and people have had to raise their game,” Jonas explained.
"She has my respect but, inside the ring, she will have to earn it.
"She is the one that people have played catch-up to. When she turned pro it brought in a whole new audience.
"I've always wanted to be a world champion and to have all the belts would be the best thing yet.
"No disrespect to Terri but Katie is a different type of animal, a different type of competitor that I'm putting myself in front of.
"I've got to beat Terri and a lot better."
