Tuesday 20 June 2017 13:36, UK
Natasha Jonas will make her professional debut on this Friday's NXTGEN bill after signing a promotional deal with Matchroom Boxing.
The former Team GB boxer is the latest new addition for promoter Eddie Hearn, joining Irish rival Katie Taylor in the Matchroom stable, and will face Poland's Monika Antonik on a packed bill in Newcastle, live on Sky Sports.
Jonas has linked up with trainer Joe Gallagher and could soon be on a collision course with Taylor, who claimed a points victory when they met in the quarter-finals of the London 2012 Games.
"I can't wait to get started on Friday night," said Jonas. "I want to get to the top of the game once again so it's great to get going before the summer and we can hit the ground running in the new season.
Katie has set the bar in women's boxing and everyone has aspired to be like her.
"It's always the target to aim high and as long as I put the work in with Joe in the gym, the sky is the limit.
"Throughout my career, I've been breaking down barriers and I've never felt out of place. I know the drive and determination that I've got inside of me.
"Katie has set the bar in women's boxing and everyone has aspired to be like her. Whatever she's done and wherever she goes she sets a good example. I'm not here to be in anyone's shadow but I take my hat off to everything that she's done as an amateur and now as a pro.
"Training with Joe has been fantastic. Training alongside some of the best fighters in the country, world champions and unbeaten boxers, I am watching them and picking up their good habits. I've been out for a long time but I feel ready to go now."
The 32-year-old Liverpudlian will appear on the second instalment of the NXTGEN series, which is topped by Josh Kelly's third pro fight against Tom Whitfield.
Kelly's former Team GB team-mate Anthony Fowler will be targeting his second professional victory, while former world champion Stuart Hall and Bradley Saunders also return to action.
Watch Natasha Jonas on this Friday's NXTGEN bill in Newcastle, starting at 9pm on Sky Sports 2.
