Jade Jones, the two-time Olympic taekwondo gold medalist, is making a bold transition to professional boxing. The 32-year-old Welsh athlete, known as 'The Headhunter' for her devastating kicks, will face Egypt Criss in her boxing debut on March 7 in Derby. This move comes less than a year after Jones suffered an early exit at the 2024 Olympics, prompting her to seek a 'fresh start' in a new combat sport.

Jones's taekwondo career reached its zenith with gold medals at the 2012 London and 2016 Rio Olympics. Her decision to switch disciplines demonstrates remarkable courage, as she goes from being at the pinnacle of one sport to starting from scratch in another. Training under former professional boxer Stephen 'Swifty' Smith at Liverpool's 4 Corners Gym, Jones has embraced the humbling experience of learning to throw punches for the first time.

Despite the challenges, Jones remains determined to excel in boxing, drawing inspiration from unified world champion Lauren Price. She aims to become a two-sport world champion, acknowledging the ambitious nature of this goal. With her grandfather's memory as motivation and support from 'Team Crazy,' Jones is ready to face the unknown elements of her boxing debut, from the ring-walk to the face-off with Criss. Her journey from taekwondo glory to boxing novice exemplifies her relentless pursuit of athletic excellence.