Jonas issues Taylor warning with win over Underwood

If Katie Taylor needed reminding about the enormity of the task as she bids for the medal that has been anticipated since women’s boxing became part of the Olympic programme then it came loud and clear from Britain’s Natasha Jonas yesterday.

The Liverpool boxer claimed her place in today’s quarter-finals with an emphatic, though curious 21-13 win over American champion, Queen Underwood, the American getting a standing count in the last round that might have gone the other way.

From that it would appear Katie Taylor, for all her talents, can’t expect any favours and Jonas said the 6-3 defeat she suffered at Taylor’s hands in Bulgaria two years ago will count for nothing.

“If you want to be an Olympic champion there’s not really any easy road,” she said. “Obviously she (Katie Taylor) is here to perform. She is world champion. She’s here to box. I know her strengths — she knows my strengths, but I’m going to be ready and I’ve got this crowd behind me.

“Two years ago we boxed in the Strandja and I gave her a bit too much respect because obviously the time I was new on the international scene and I was a bit in awe.

“But times have changed and I’m 50 bouts on from there so it’s entirely different. I’m a different boxer now.”

Looking to today’s clash with Taylor, Great Britain coach Leo Pullen said you can never write Jonas off.

“You can never write Tasha off,” he said. “She’s a good performer. Katie is the best in the world. It will be a challenge but Tasho’s on form. Tasho and Katie Taylor is going to be a fantastic advert for women’s boxing. Katie Taylor is a brilliant fighter and a lovely person and so is Tasho. Its going to be great to showcase women’s boxing.

“I know it’s a tall order — they boxed before and it was 6-3. I think she (Jonas) was six down at the half way stage. Tasha dug deep. I mean she’s a Scouser. They can fight, that mob, can’t they. She can dig deep. She did it last time and she clawed it back to 6-3. She’s more confident now more accomplished and Natasha is mentally strong and physically and up for the job.”

US coach, Charles Leverette said Jonas will find it difficult to beat Taylor. It’s going to take a lot to beat her, not just the crowd. Jonas has to produce something out of the box to get this win,” he said.

“Taylor is a boxing ambassador. She’s been out there, she’s very talented. I saw them at the world championships and it’s all about will, who forces who’s will on the other the most and who does it first.

“They competed at the world championships and it was very exciting.