Sunday 25 February 2018 23:01, UK
Natasha Jonas was taken the distance for the first time in her professional career as she closed out a dominant points win over Karina Kopinska on the JD NXTGEN bill in Manchester.
The 33-year-old super-featherweight hopes to follow in the footsteps of Katie Taylor by targeting a world title fight this year and she tested her stamina over six rounds to earn a 60-54 verdict over Kopinska, a former opponent of her Irish rival.
Jonas calmly stalked Kopinska in the opening round, slipping a few body shots under the Pole's elbows, while the stylish southpaw found her range with straight left hands in the second.
Kopinska was halted inside three rounds on Taylor's paid debut and she passed this distance, despite being pushed on her heels by more left hands in the third.
More spearing punches from Jonas in the fourth continued to pierce the high guard of Kopinska, who was left with a bloodied nose following further punishment in the fifth.
Jonas had halted all four of her previous opponents and was still hunting the stoppage in the sixth, but Kopinska stood firm until the final bell.
Promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed he is planning a title fight for her next appearance on the undercard of Amir Khan's British homecoming fight against Phil Lo Greco on April 21, live on Sky Sports.
"I think Natasha wants to win a world title of her own," said Hearn. "We are already looking at super-featherweight world champions.
"Definitely a title on April 21, maybe a world."
