During this Black History Month (BHM), two-weight world champion Natasha Jonas has become the first Black woman to obtain a British Boxing Board of Control manager's licence.
The 39-year-old, from Liverpool, became Britain's first female Olympic boxer when she competed at London 2012. She will begin working with her protege Mikie Tallon, who makes his professional debut later this month.
"All my life I've always believed in myself and I've never allowed myself to give up," said Jonas.
"I've not consciously set out to be first to do anything, I just knew that I wanted to break down barriers and not be scared to do anything just because it hadn't been done before. That being said, one thing I do like about being first is that it makes you part of history and nobody can take that away from you."
With this year’s BHM theme being ‘Celebrating Our Sisters’, Jonas’ latest groundbreaking achievement is especially poignant. Her journey stands testament to her indomitable spirit and of women in sports. As the first woman to represent GB Boxing in 2009, then at an Olympics three years later during London 2012, she has enjoyed a successful career and is a two-weight world champion.
She stopped Kandi Wyatt in Manchester in July to win the vacant IBF welterweight title and is also the reigning WBC, WBO and IBF light-middleweight champion. British Boxing Board of Control general secretary, Robert Smith, commented: "We are delighted Natasha has decided to take up a licence to pass on her expertise to the next generation.
"She is very experienced and will be an asset. It is a great achievement."