By Elliot Foster
Natasha Jonas has announced the date for her professional debut after inking promotional terms.
The former footballer and Team GB star amateur, who won gold at the inaugural British championships and was the first female to make it to the GB squad, confirmed the transition to the professional ranks back in April.
Jonas, 33, is targeting titles in her first year in the paid ranks –– and could be on a collision course with old Olympic rival Katie Taylor.
But she will begin her journey in the paid code on Friday (June 23), exclusively live on Sky Sports, at the Walker Activity Dome in Newcastle.
The ex-Rotunda ABC amateur has signed a promotional deal with Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Sport and she will come up against Poland’s Monika Antonik on her debut.
Antonik has just four fights under her belt but after winning on her debut has lost her last three.
Tasha, however, isn’t fazed about entering the pro ranks and is instead excited to show what she can do without a headguard.
“For girls, with the opponents, it’s not all that different from when we were amateurs,” Jonas, who is trained by Joe Gallagher, told Sky Sports News HQ when she rubber-stamped the details of his first paid outing on Tuesday.
“You don’t get much notice, but it’s something that I’m used to. We managed to find just one clip of my opponent to see her style.
“I’m in a good place both mentally and physically and I feel stronger now than I did before.”
Jonas took a two-year sabbatical from the sport as she gave birth to her little girl, but she believes that her will represent the start of a new beginning.
“Hopefully Friday will show that I’m better now than I was before and that I can put a show on.
“The first month or so in the gym was so difficult, it was hard.
“But I feel fit and strong and I’ve just got to go out and do what I know I can do later this week.”
Jonas’ debut features on a card which is topped by 2016 Rio Olympian Josh Kelly and also showcases Anthony Fowler, another Scouser, who made his professional debut in May.