Women’s boxing sees its first big bout of 2024 this weekend, as elite fighters Natasha Jonas and Mikaela Mayer clash for IBF welterweight title glory, and Bovada has the best betting odds in boxing.
Natasha Jonas would be forgiven if she was already satisfied with what she has achieved so far. But, at 39 years old and in the form of her life, she has no intention of letting up.
Not only that, she made history when she became the first woman to win the British Boxing Board of Control’s prestigious Boxer of the Year award last March.
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Jonas, a two-weight world champion and Olympic veteran, will defend the belt in front of her hometown crowd at the MAS arena in Liverpool this Saturday, January 20th, as Mayer, representing the US once again ventures to the UK as former super-featherweight champion.
Natasha Jonas (14-2-1, 9 KOs) came down a weight to pick up IBF belt last year. Incredibly, Jones walks into this battle with three world titles at super-welterweight.
Mayer said of Jonas: “On paper, she’s the best opponent I’ve fought; she’s got the best resume of anyone I’ve fought. I don’t think I’ve ever gone up against another Olympian as a pro but I’ve been in championship fights, and so has she – a handful of them – and she has the amateur pedigree as well.”
Tale of the Tape- Who’s Got the Best Betting Odds?
It has not been all plain sailing for Jonas, who suffered a crushing decision defeat against boxing megastar Katie Taylor before picking up five straight victories and a bunch of world titles to become one of Britain’s most decorated fighters.
Let us take nothing away from the brilliance of Mikaela Mayer, however, who knows the sport of boxing inside out. She, too, has Olympic pedigree and has held world titles – first at super-featherweight, where she was unified champion until a narrow loss to Alycia Baumgardner in 2022, then interim gold at lightweight.
Mayer (19-1, 5 KOs) has since fought once more, at super-lightweight, continuing her gradual ascent through the divisions. In another twist in this tantalizing match-up, Mayer has a height advantage over Natasha Jonas however is naturally lighter than her UK opponent.
Oh, and lest we forget, Mayer holds one of the best jabs in the women’s game.
Jonas, defending her crown with passionate home crowd advantage is the favorite to walk away with yet another belt (under her belt).
Interestingly, there is a mandatory re-match clause in their contracts regardless of how the result goes this weekend which means for women’s boxing fans everywhere, we get to enjoy this fascinating face-off twice.
Here are your boxing odds –
Natasha Jonas: -125
Mikaela Mayer: -105
Odds on Major Sporting Events in 2024
Other nail-biting major events are happening this weekend, including UC 297, NBA fixtures and let’s not forget the best NFL betting odds in America, right here at Bovada.
