WBC and WBO World champion Natasha Jonas (12-2-1) continues her takeover of the super welterweight division as she challenges IBF World champion Marie Eve Dicaire (18-1) in Manchester this Saturday.
Jonas is making a serious case for female fighter of the year, as she has picked up a world title in the two fights she’s already had in 2022 and now looks to add a third.
‘Miss GB’ opted to step up to super welterweight this year and stepped right into a world title fight as she challenged Chris Namus for the vacant WBO title on the undercard of Amir Khan vs Kell Brook in February. Jonas would finally get her world title dream as she stopped Namus in two rounds in a fantastic display.
Jonas got a long-awaited homecoming fight next as she was confirmed to be fighting in Liverpool in September. Her opponent was revealed to be the WBC champion, Patricia Berghult. Jonas put on a masterclass and produced a near-shutout points victory to become a unified world champion.
Dicaire has one defeat on her record, but that has come at the highest level of female boxing as the loss came at the hands of three-time undisputed world champion Claressa Shields.
Dicaire first won the IBF title in 2018, where she also beat Namus, but Dicaire won on points. Dicaire defended the belt three times, as she defeated Mikaela Lauren, Maria Lindberg and Ogleidis Suarez all by unanimous decision.
The loss to Shields came next, however, Dicaire jumped straight back into a world title fight following the loss and fought for her old belt as it had become vacant, and she regained it in style as she knocked out the previously undefeated Cynthia Lozano in seven rounds.
The winner of this bout will hold three of the four major titles in the division, the only other champion at super welterweight is Terri Harper who holds the WBA title. Jonas has previously fought Harper at super featherweight, and it ended in a draw.
The chief support sees one of Britain’s fastest rising talents Dalton Smith (12-0) make the first defence of his British super lightweight title against Kaisee Benjamin (16-1-1). Smith won the belt last time out as he headlined in his hometown of Sheffield for the first time and produced a spectacular performance to stop Sam O’Maison to pick up the belt. Benjamin has been waiting patiently for his opportunity and produced some impressive performances to get him into a position to fight for the belt.
A fight that many believe could be the show stealer, Brad Rea (14-0) challenges English middleweight champion, Tyler Denny (14-2-3). Rea has been a standout performer on undercards since signing with BOXXER and now looks to ad titles to his arsenal. However, he faces a tough task in Denny, as he produced a sensational performance to defeat River Wilson-Bent to win the belt.
Team GB stand out and Olympic Bronze medallist Frazer Clarke (3-0) returns with a step up that he has been clamouring for, as he faces the very well-respected Kamil Sokolowski (11-26-3). Sokolowski is a tough test for any up-and-coming heavyweight. Cruiserweight prospect Viddal Riley (6-0) is back and looks to build on his huge stoppage last time out as he faces Ross McGuigan (3-0).
BOXXER lightweight series winner Dylan Cheema (7-0) is back and looks to remain undefeated as he takes on Jordan Ellison (13-44-3). Joe Gallagher trained welterweight Clark Smith (2-0) looks to continue his perfect start to his pro career, as he has not yet lost a round as a pro. Finally, super middleweight Jack Kilgannon (11-1) looks to bounce back from the only defeat of his career last time out, as he returns this Saturday.
A stacked card emanates from the AO Arena in Manchester and is topped by a fantastic 50/50 unification bout between Jonas and Dicaire. All the action can be watched live on Sky Sports on Saturday night, and Ricky Hatton’s exhibition against Marco Antonio Barrera will follow straight after the show.