LIVERPOOL, UK (January 16, 2024) – A mural celebrating the achievements of women’s boxing icon and two-weight world champion Natasha Jonas has today been unveiled in Toxteth, Liverpool.
The incredible artwork depicting Jonas with her world championship belts will be a permanent addition to Toxteth’s Elway Road, just streets away from Jonas’ childhood home.
The mural, painted by British Street Art Collective MurWalls, has already proved popular with local residents and will provide a fitting tribute to Toxteth’s own trail-blazing athlete.
Jonas made history as the first female boxer on Team GB and the first woman to represent Great Britain in boxing when she entered the ring at the 2012 Olympic Games in London.
The 39-year-old has continued her barrier-breaking tradition in the professional ranks.
She became the first woman to win the prestigious British Boxer of the Year award from the British Boxing Board of Control in 2022, following the likes of Lennox Lewis, Naseem Hamed and other British boxing legends.
Having previously unified the WBC, WBO and IBF World Super Welterweight Titles, Jonas became a two-weight world champion when defeating Kandi Wyatt for the IBF World Welterweight crown in July last year.
“It’s an honour to be recognised with this mural,” said Natasha Jonas. “The streets of Toxteth made me. I’m proud to be from these streets. I’m proud to be from Liverpool. Growing up there were a lot of stereotypes about Toxteth and what you could be if you were from there. I’ve spent my whole life fighting those stereotypes. I was just a little girl from these streets chasing my dreams. There’s been a lot of hard work and ups and downs along the way, but I’ve made those dreams come true.
“Without these streets and without the support of the community, I would never have grown into the person I am now. I hope this mural can help inspire more people like me and show that no matter where you’re from, what your circumstances are or what people say, you can achieve your dreams. Don’t let anyone tell you who you can become, that’s on you!”
“This is a fitting tribute for Natasha who is not only an amazing athlete but a real inspiration and role model,” said promoter Ben Shalom. “I’ve seen the incredible work Natasha does for her community so it’s fantastic to see her honoured in such a way. It shows the people of Liverpool are behind her and she’ll be able to carry that into the ring with her for her biggest fight yet on Saturday night.”
Jonas makes the first defence of her IBF World Welterweight Title against former unified world champion Mikaela Mayer on Saturday, January 20th at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool. All the action is available to watch live and exclusively on Sky Sports in the UK and Ireland and on ESPN+ in the USA.
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