Natasha Jonas is set to become the first ever black female boxing manager in UK by guiding Mikie Tallon ahead of his professional debut this weekend.
The world champion fighter is already a high profile figure in women’s boxing having become a two-weight world champion at welterweight and super welterweight – and has now made history by venturing into boxing management.
The 39-year-old has obtained her manger’s licence and will work with flyweight Tallon for his upcoming fight against Sean Jackson in Manchester.
Revealing her motivation for making the breakthrough into boxing management, Jonas said she wanted to continue to ‘break barriers’ and saw it as a huge opportunity to make waves in the sport.
‘All my life I’ve always believed in myself and I’ve never allowed myself to give up,’ Jonas told Sky Sports Editions.
Natasha Jonas has made history by becoming the first black female boxing manager in the UK
Jonas is set to work with Mikie Tallon for his professional debut in Manchester on Saturday
‘I’ve not consciously set out to be first to do anything, I just knew that I wanted to break down barriers and not be scared to do anything just because it hadn’t been done before.
‘That being said, one thing I do like about being first is that it makes you part of history and nobody can take that away from you.
‘I couldn’t turn down this opportunity. I’ve known Mikie from Liverpool and watched him go through the ranks. The thought of being able to guide someone to miss pot-holes that I fell into is something I couldn’t pass.’
Jonas said she had always felt comfortable working alongside men in sport – having started out as a footballer – and said she has worked hard to earn respect in boxing and feels the sacrifices she has made have been key to her rise.
Jonas said she was eager to keep ‘breaking down barriers’ in the sport after her historic achievement
‘I’ve never felt out of place being around boys,’ she added. ‘Football was my first sport and that’s male-dominated as well. I was a little girl trying to compete with the lads, and when I stepped into the boxing gym it was the same.
‘It was trying to find your place and as a female you have to do that a little bit more to be just as respected and taken seriously… to try and make a pathway that wasn’t visible. You didn’t know where the pathway was going to go.
‘I lost two jobs because of boxing, because of the commitment needed and the time away… ultimately I made those sacrifices because I thought it was worth it.’
Episode two of Sky Sports Editions is available to watch on Sky Sports Boxing YouTube channels.