DOUBLE OLYMPIC champion Jade Jones is quitting taekwondo to become a professional boxer.
The head-kicking fighter from Flint won Olympic gold at the 2012 and 2016 Games for Team GB and claimed the world title six years ago in Manchester.
The TimesJade Jones is a two-time gold medallist[/caption]
Jones, 31, will train under the guidance of ex-boxer Stephen “Swifty” Smith, who was once a British and Commonwealth featherweight champion.
The Welshwoman said: “Taekwondo has given me everything – an incredible journey, unforgettable memories and the honour of representing my country on the biggest stage.
“I’ve given everything to taekwondo and I’m now ready for a new challenge.
“Boxing has always fascinated me, and I’m excited to test myself in a completely different arena.
“I know it won’t be easy, and if I’m being honest, I don’t really know what to expect.
“But I thrive on pushing myself beyond my limits and am excited by the journey ahead.”
Details of her pro debut this year will be announced in due course.
Coach Smith – whose brothers Liam, Callum and Paul are also top-level fighters – is confident she can make a successful switch between the two combat sports.
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He said: “Jade is a born fighter – she’s proven that time and time again in taekwondo.
“Her athleticism, dedication, and winning mentality are second to none.
“It’s an honour to be working with her, and I have no doubt she has what it takes to make a serious impact in boxing.”
Jones’s fourth and final Games last year in Paris – where she lost in the first round – were overshadowed by a missed out-of-competition drugs test in December 2023.
Though she was not accused of any drug taking, Jones faced a possible ban of between 2-4 years for the anti-doping breach.
Yet after a five-month probe, she was cleared to compete in the French capital by the UK Anti-Doping Agency (Ukad) following examinations conducted by two independent consultant psychiatrists.
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