Jade Jones marks boxing debut with knockout victory
Jade Jones celebrated her boxing debut on March 7, 2026, in Derby, England, achieving a remarkable second-round knockout against Egypt Criss. This victory highlights Jones’s transition from a successful taekwondo career to the boxing ring.
Jones, a double Olympic taekwondo champion, had previously won gold medals at the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Olympics. After two decades in taekwondo, she made the switch to boxing, spending 12 months preparing for this pivotal moment in her career.
Under the Misfits promotion, which is known for staging influencer fights, Jones showcased her skills by delivering three successive left hooks that sent Criss crashing face-first to the canvas. The knockout victory came swiftly, demonstrating Jones’s striking ability and readiness for this new challenge.
Egypt Criss, the daughter of hip-hop stars Anthony ‘Treach’ Criss and Sandra ‘Pepa’ Denton, faced a tough opponent in Jones. The fight not only marked a new chapter for Jones but also brought excitement to her hometown, where she has been a celebrated figure since her Olympic successes.
Reflecting on her transition, Jones expressed that her journey into boxing has been therapeutic, helping her heal from a difficult period following her early exits in the 2021 and 2024 Olympics. “I was a bit lost. I thought I could be the greatest of all time and win a third Olympic gold and for it to just go up in flames… it was a hard time,” she stated.
Jones’s first Olympic gold was commemorated by a matching post box in her hometown, symbolizing her impact on the local community. She noted, “It’s lovely to see my small town getting really excited again. I didn’t realize how much of an impact it has on people; it gives them a purpose and I can feel them buzzing.”
As she embarks on this new journey in boxing, Jones has learned to appreciate the process rather than just the outcome. “When you win the Olympics there is always a new goal whereas now I’ve learned the best bit was actually the journey,” she remarked.
With her successful debut, Jade Jones is poised to make a significant mark in the boxing world, following her illustrious career in taekwondo. The sports community is eager to see how she will continue to evolve in this new arena.
