On December 14th, WBC welterweight champion Ivana Habazin will be fighting IBF champion Natasha Jonas in a unification bout that will take place in Jonas' hometown of Liverpool, England. In the lead-in to the fight, Boxxer President, Ben Shalom has been talking about a big unification fight in March between Jonas and WBA champion Lauren Price, both of whom are promoted by Boxxer. [Habazin is not promoted by Boxxer]. Given the fact that the unification fight between Habazin and Jonas has not taken place, talk of Jonas and Price is premature and potentially concerning to Habazin. She had this to say:  

 

Q: Ivana, how do you feel about Ben Shalom talking about staging a unification fight in March between Jonas and Price given the fact your fight with Jonas has not taken place yet?

 

A: As a regining champion, this talk by Mr. Shalom is very disrespectful. I have reason to be concerned that the outcome of my fight with Natasha has already been determined. 

 

Q: Do you think their will be “hometown cooking” and another controversial decision in Liverpool as was the case when Natasha fought Mikaela Mayer in January? [Mayer, now the WBO champion, lost to Jonas by split decision].

 

A: Given Mr. Shalom’s remarks, it is only logical that this is something very troubling to me. As you know, controversial decisions against opponents in fighter’s hometowns has been something that has given our sport a black eye. Just look at the [IBF junior welterweight title] fight between Richardson Hitchins and Liam Paro that happened last week. Hitchins clearly won the fight, yet one judge scored the fight 117-111 for Paro. How in the world can that judge be allowed to keep judging fights?

 

Q: Putting aside your concerns about the scoring, how do you feel about the upcoming fight itself?

 

A: I respect Natasha as a champion. However, neither Natasha or I score fights. Judges are easily swayed by promoters who pay their fees, travel, meals, and lodging. Only in boxing does this exist. Many times these judges want to get future assignments, so in my opinion, they judge for the hand that feeds them. Look, I’ve been around long enough to know that I will need to flip the script and do all possible to keep a possible decision out of the judges hands. But, it is crazy that I may need to KO Natasha to get a fair decision. That is wrong and these controversial decisions by unscrupulous judges has to stop if our sport is to be respected for fair and unbiased judging.

 

Q: I’m sure that the boxing world will be watching both the fight and the judging carefully. Are there any parting words that you would like to express?

 

A: I would like to thank the WBC and my fans for their support. I also would also like to give thanks to Round 4 Round at the Amir Khan Academy for their hospitality during my stay in Bolton. The fight will be shown on SKY TV so I hope everyone having access can watch. Thank you.