Jade Jones, a two-time Olympic Taekwondo champion, is eager to demonstrate that age is not a barrier as she prepares to face Hungarian MMA fighter Sheena Bathory in a boxing match on September 12. At 33, Jones has already made waves in the boxing scene, beginning her career at 31 with a second-round knockout victory over reality TV personality Egypt Criss in February, followed by a win against Argentine influencer FederiKita in May, bringing her record to 2-0.
Jones is now gearing up for her toughest challenge yet: a fight against Bathory for the Misfits super middleweight title at Newcastle’s Utilita Arena. Since embarking on boxing relatively late, she hopes her journey encourages others to take risks regardless of age. Jones shared, “I wanted to show people you shouldn’t fear failure or trying new things. At the end of my Taekwondo career, I felt ‘oh, I’m 33, maybe I’ve passed my prime,’ but I’ve realized your age is what you tell yourself. I don’t know how good I’m going to be—I could have been knocked out in my first fight—but I’m doing this.” From her hometown of Bodelwyddan in North Wales, she added, “I’ve just started and am not scared to fail. I hope this shows people it’s never too late to start again or try something different. Life can begin whenever you want.”
Jones won the hearts of fans at the 2012 London Olympics by becoming the first Briton to secure gold in taekwondo. She defended this title four years later in Rio, making history as a back-to-back Olympic champion in the 57kg class. Despite a remarkable career, Jones revealed how difficult it was to leave the sport and the challenges she faced afterward. “People don’t realize when you’re striving for Olympic gold, every aspect of your life revolves around it—sleep, diet, mind. Once you reach that peak and then return to a ‘normal’ life, it leaves a void. After retiring, I felt lost—it was tough not having that purpose and drive.” Though she tried for a third Olympic gold, early eliminations in Tokyo and Paris marked the end of her taekwondo journey.
Not long after retiring, Jones ventured into boxing, determined to make her mark there as well. “Many told me to retire and enjoy life, but I still had that itch and drive. At 33, I feel young and like I have more to accomplish.” Recently, she was diagnosed with ADHD—something she believes has fueled her passion for boxing. “It came out of nowhere. What started as a joke turned into a serious pursuit. I love the challenge, the improvement, the intensity of one-on-one combat, and the thrill of the ring. Fighting, training, striving to be the best—I absolutely love it.”
Her upcoming opponent Bathory is expected to be far more challenging than Jones’s previous adversaries. Bathory, a Hungarian fighter with a martial arts background, made a forceful debut with a first-round knockout and has also appeared on the controversial TV series Power Slap, part-owned by UFC president Dana White. While Bathory’s prior opponents included social media influencers, Jones embraces the step up in competition. “She’s tough with martial arts experience. I’m excited to prove another level of my boxing. This fight will test me and show what I’m capable of.”
Training under Stephen “Swifty” Smith and his brothers at Liverpool’s 4 Corners Gym, Jones believes her experience in high-pressure environments gives her an advantage. “I’ve been in the ring before, faced the nerves. It’s about managing that and applying what I’ve learned in training.” Entering more demanding fights comes with added risks, but Jones acknowledges the dangers of boxing and stresses the importance of safety and good support. “Boxing is brutal, and hearing stories about injuries is scary. But you don’t ‘play’ boxing. It’s one-on-one; everyone knows the risks. You just train hard and protect yourself. You can get hurt crossing the street too; it’s all about personal choice. With the right team, you try to stay safe.”
Jones and Bathory will clash on September 12 on the undercard of the Jordan McCann vs. Big Stacks event at the Utilita Arena in Newcastle.
Fan Take: For fight fans, Jade Jones’s transition from Olympic Taekwondo legend to rising boxing contender is a compelling narrative of reinvention, highlighting how athletes can successfully cross disciplines and challenge expectations. This fight may signal a new wave of crossover stars, enriching boxing with fresh talent and diversity, while inspiring others that age and setbacks don’t have to end competitive dreams.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
