- Jones made the decision to quit the sport after her first round loss at Paris 2024
- She shot to fame by winning taekwondo gold at London 2012 and then Rio 2016
- Jones said she is ‘ready for a new challenge’ with her a first fight expected soon
Double Olympic taekwondo champion Jade Jones has quit the sport to pursue a career as a professional boxer.
The 31-year-old has made the shock decision following her first-round defeat at Paris 2024, the build-up to which was marred by controversy after she missed a drugs test but escaped a ban on medical grounds.
‘Taekwondo has given me everything – an incredible journey, unforgettable memories and the honour of representing my country on the biggest stage,’ said Jones.
‘But 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 journey ahead.’
Jones shot to fame at London 2012 when she won Britain’s first-ever Olympic taekwondo gold medal aged only 19, before defending her -57kg title at Rio 2016.
Double Olympic taekwondo champion Jade Jones has quit the sport to become a boxer
Jones will be trained by Stephen Smith, with her first fight expected to be announced soon
Jones shot to fame by winning gold at London 2012, before repeating the feat at Rio 2016
The Welsh woman then landed her first world title in 2019, but crashed out in the opening round at Tokyo 2020, before suffering another early exit in Paris.
That loss last summer has now proved to be her final taekwondo contest as she swaps the mat for the ring, with her first boxing fight expected to be announced soon.
Jones will be trained by Stephen Smith, who won gold at the 2006 Commonwealth Games and twice fought for a world super featherweight title in 2016.
The Liverpudlian – whose brothers Liam, Callum and Paul are all title-winning boxers – said: ‘I have no doubt she has what it takes to make a serious impact in boxing.
‘She 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.’
