Amidst the hype and anticipation for the first ever world title fight to be contested by two British women's boxers, the most common question asked has been: “Is this Natasha Jonas’ last chance?”
Jonas (9-1, 7 KOs) challenges Terri Harper (10-0, 5 KOs) for the WBC and IBO super-featherweight titles in the main event of Matchroom Boxing’s second Fight Camp card.
In a sitdown interview with Sky Sports, the London 2012 Olympian explained how she feels she has turned the clock back in her preparations for what could be her crowning moment as a pro.
"This is like the Olympics all over again for me,” said Jonas.
"It'll mean so much to me to become world champion, and I can honestly say that this has been the best camp of my career, and everything with Joe (Gallagher, her trainer) has gone to plan so well.”
At the age of 36 to the champion’s 23, there are not only concerns over how many more opportunities Jonas can earn should she be unsuccessful Friday, but also over whether she can keep up with the unbeaten titleholder.
But with a mentality of being back in 2012, the challenger is determined to convince everyone watching that there is no age difference at all.
"My sparring has been great,” continued Jonas. “I've prepared for 10 hard rounds, and I've made sure I'm the fittest I've ever been.
"One thing I'll say about Terri is that she's a very fit fighter with a good work-rate, and I know they're banking on me not being as fit as her. They're in for a massive shock.”
Indeed, the prevailing opinion from the opposition camp is that Jonas will serve as little more than a marquee name on Harper’s blossoming resume.
Stefy Bull, the champion’s trainer who has been engaging in plenty of verbal sparring with opposite number Gallagher in recent weeks, rode a fine line between praise and dismissal when discussing Jonas on Matchroom’s YouTube channel.
“Tasha’s been a great servant to women’s boxing on the whole — not just the amateur side,” said Bull. “She’s got nothing but respect from us all. But Terri Harper beats her, and this about is the start of propelling Terri.
“We accepted this fight in Terri’s fifth fight. Tasha has become a mum, her body’s changed and she’s not made the weight in two years.
“She’s not proven at making the weight and fighting at this weight. But she’s got all the respect in the world from us, and on August 7 we will be ready for the best Tasha.”
This mentality from others is not lost on Jonas, as she revealed in an interview earlier this week via Skype with SecondsOut.
“Terri has proven what she can do as a pro,” Jonas said. “She has done things as a pro that I haven’t yet.
“But I’ll achieve those things on Friday. I don’t want to keep living off that amateur experience because I haven’t shown the best of me yet in the pros.
She continued: “Every strength Terri has, I also see a weakness. She’s young, but she’s inexperienced. She’s hungry, but that means she’s made a lot of statements that she has to go out and prove.
“To her, I’m the old mum that’s past her best — and she now has to prove that in the ring.”
Matchroom Boxing's Fight Camp 2, headlined by Harper vs. Jonas, airs live on Sky Sports in the UK and on DAZN in the U.S. on Aug. 7.