NATASHA JONAS was finally crowned a world champion at her third attempt after leaping up to super-welterweight to snatch WBO gold.
After two narrowly failed efforts at super-feather and lightweight, the Liverpool queen got her coronation down the M62 in Manchester.
Uruguay’s Chris Namus was the bigger woman but Jonas – with daughter Mela’s name proudly embossed on her black shorts in gold – chopped her down inside two rounds to land the title.
“I cannot put it into words,” she roared. “I have made so many sacrifices but not just in boxing but my whole life.
“My trainer Joe Gallagher has done so much for me, he never takes any credit when his fighters do well and he always wants to take the blame when things go wrong.
“This belt is for my little girl, Mela, I can’t wait to bring it home to you baby girl.”
Jonas was the first woman to ever represent Team GB at boxing in 2009 but Olympic medals eluded her.
It looked like a world title would also slip through the 37-year-old’s fingers.
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But she demolished the South American visitor inside just two rounds.
Namus was dropped violently in the opening round when a booming left hand and chopping right hook – from Jonas’ southpaw stance – collapsed her foe.
Couregeously Namus – who had Manchester United striker Edinson Cavani in the crowd supporting her – got back to her feet in time and gave it another go in the second.
But Jonas’ punches were too precise and powerful and Namus was in danger of serious injury in the second before the referee halted the onslaught.
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk