“The UFC have shown it works. You just have to be managed and promoted the same. No UFC fan moans if Ronda Rousey headlines a show.
“Sometimes in boxing we have that doubt, but to be totally honest, when I fought Katie Taylor on the Derek Chisora and Joseph Parker bill, the first thing people said was: ‘Why wasn’t it top of the bill?’ and that just proves how far women’s boxing has come.”
Jonas is embarking on a new chapter too, having signed for boxing promotion BOXXER at the end of 2021.
She was under the Matchroom Boxing banner but says she didn’t feel valued.
“To be honest, I’m over the Matchroom thing. It was what it was – I didn’t extend a deal. I didn’t feel valued,” added Jonas.
“No matter if I signed with them, I was always going to be the B-side fighter. I wanted to be supported and appreciated. I didn’t get that from them.”
No date has been set yet for Jonas’ next fight, but the Olympian is eager to encourage more women into the gym and works with the ‘Driving Force’ initiative. It looks to shine a spotlight on female athletes and promote further participation in sport.
Jonas says the female code is as different as night and day from how it was almost 20 years ago when she started.
“Boxing 17 years ago was a lot different to what it is now. I was the first female in the gym and to go in was very daunting,” Jonas recalled.
“It’s the misconceptions and stereotypes you think of. You think about how difficult it is going to be.
“The first day I went in, Liam Smith said to the group ‘everyone get in pairs’ and it was Liam Smith that came over and said ‘I’ll be your partner’ – and from then on, all those barriers were put down and nobody minded being your partner. It was very comforting.”