Natasha Jonas
Liverpool’s Natasha Jonas is one of Britain’s most decorated and trailblazing female boxers. She made history as the first woman to represent Great Britain in boxing at the 2012 Olympic Games in London and became the first woman to win the prestigious British Boxer of the Year award from the British Boxing Board of Control in 2022, joining the ranks of legends such as Anthony Joshua, Ricky Hatton, Prince Naseem Hamed, and Lennox Lewis.
Natasha claimed the undisputed Light Middleweight world title in 2022 before moving down a weight to take the IBF World Welterweight title on 1 July 2023, defeating Kandi Wyatt in round eight at the AO Arena, Manchester. She retained her title at Liverpool’s Echo Arena on 20 January 2024 with a split decision win over Mikaela Mayer, before becoming a unified world champion again by defeating WBC title holder Ivana Habazin on 14 December 2024 at the Exhibition Centre, Liverpool. She was scheduled to face WBA, IBO, and The Ring female welterweight champion Laura Price at the Royal Albert Hall in March 2025, a fight she lost by unanimous decision.
Natasha’s contribution to sport and her community was recognised in 2025 when she was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to boxing and her work in Liverpool. A mural commemorating her achievements stands in Liverpool on Elwy Street, near her childhood home.
Originally destined for a career in professional football—her sister, Nikita Parris, is a Lioness and plays for Manchester United—Natasha shifted to boxing after a serious injury in the US. On returning to Liverpool, she worked for Liverpool City Council promoting sport and healthy lifestyles for school-age children and became a mentor for Youth Sport. Her first boxing experience came at the gym of the legendary Smith Brothers, where she sparred with future world champion Liam Smith.
A passionate advocate for women in sport, Natasha inspires aspiring female athletes around the world. During a tour in Tanzania in August 2023, she appeared on Azam TV, sharing her story and motivating local amateur female boxers to overcome challenges and pursue excellence.
Natasha is a familiar face on UK television, regularly appearing on A Question of Sport, The Jonathan Ross Show, The One Show, and as an anchor on Sky Sports Boxing. She has also featured in documentaries, including Channel 4’s Knockout Scousers, which followed her Olympic qualification journey—a production she also narrated.
Natasha is a dedicated mother to her daughter, Mela, and remains committed to supporting community and charitable initiatives both in Liverpool and internationally.
