The Golden Girl's Knockout New Chapter: 7 Shocking Facts About Jade Jones' Taekwondo Retirement And Boxing Switch

The world of combat sports is currently buzzing with one of the most unexpected career pivots in recent memory, as the legendary double Olympic Taekwondo champion, Jade Jones, hangs up her dobok for good and steps into the boxing ring. After a glittering career that saw her make history for Great Britain, Jones's journey has taken a dramatic turn, marked by a disappointing final Olympic outing and an immediate, ambitious shift to professional boxing in a search for a new challenge.

This article, updated for December 2025, dives deep into the Welsh athlete's transition, exploring the key events that led to her retirement, the controversy that overshadowed her final Olympic bid, and what the future holds as she chases yet another gold standard in a completely new discipline.

The Flyweight Phenom: Jade Jones' Complete Biography and Career Profile

Jade Jones, often dubbed "The Headhunter" for her aggressive style and pinpoint accuracy in Taekwondo, is one of the most decorated athletes in British Olympic history. Her career is a testament to relentless dedication and a fierce competitive spirit that has now been channeled into a new, high-stakes sport.

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• Full Name: Jade Louise Jones
• Date of Birth: March 21, 1993
• Place of Birth: Bodelwyddan, Flintshire, Wales
• Nationality: British (Welsh)
• Primary Sport (Retired): Taekwondo (Weight Class: −57 kg)
• Current Sport: Professional Boxing
• Olympic Gold Medals: 2 (London 2012, Rio 2016)
• World Championship Gold: 1 (Manchester 2019)
• European Championship Gold: 3 (2014, 2016, 2018)
• Honours: Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
• Coaches (Taekwondo): Paul Green, Martin Stamper
• Coach (Boxing): Stephen Smith (in Liverpool)

The Shocking End of a Golden Taekwondo Career

For over a decade, Jade Jones was the undisputed queen of the -57 kg Taekwondo category. Her victories at London 2012 and Rio 2016 cemented her status as a national icon. However, her final two major Olympic campaigns revealed the immense pressure of defending a legacy, ultimately leading to her retirement announcement in March 2025.

1. Paris 2024: The First-Round Exit That Forced a Pivot

Jones went into the Paris 2024 Olympic Games aiming for an unprecedented third consecutive gold medal. The pressure was palpable, especially after her disappointing early exit at the Tokyo 2020 Games. Unfortunately, her dream was shattered at the first hurdle.

The double Olympic champion was eliminated in her opening bout, a result she later admitted "took a piece out of her" and signaled the end of her Taekwondo journey. This unexpected defeat became the catalyst for her decision to seek a "fresh challenge" and embark on a new sporting life.

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2. The Truth Behind the Missed Drugs Test Controversy

Jones’s build-up to Paris 2024 was heavily overshadowed by a controversy involving a missed out-of-competition doping test in December 2023. This incident raised significant questions among fans and media, threatening to derail her final Olympic appearance.

However, the UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) agency ultimately ruled that Jones would avoid a ban. The violation was deemed a "no-fault violation on confidential medical grounds," preventing her from facing the typical suspension. Despite the ruling, Jones passionately maintained her innocence, stating, "I've never taken drugs," and rejected any speculation that the incident was related to performance-enhancing substances. This high-stakes situation added a layer of immense mental strain to her final competitive year, which she later cited as a factor in her need for a change.

The Knockout New Chapter: Transition to Professional Boxing

The announcement of her retirement from Taekwondo and immediate switch to professional boxing sent shockwaves through the sporting world. This is not a casual transition; Jones is fully committed to reaching the elite level in her new discipline, drawing inspiration from other successful combat sports crossovers.

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3. Trading the Dobok for the Gloves: Why Boxing?

For an athlete who had achieved everything possible in Taekwondo—two Olympic golds, a World Championship, and multiple European titles—the motivation to continue in the same sport was understandably waning. Jones openly stated that "Boxing just excites me" and represents a "new challenge" that allows her to chase greatness all over again. The transition is about rediscovering herself and the thrill of competition in a raw, demanding environment.

Her experience in Taekwondo, particularly her speed, footwork, and exceptional kicking power, provides a unique foundation. While the techniques are different, the discipline, mental fortitude, and ability to handle pressure are directly transferable skills she brings to the boxing ring.

4. Training with the Best: The Stephen Smith Connection

To ensure her success in professional boxing, Jones has teamed up with a respected figure in the sport: coach Stephen Smith. She has relocated her training base to Liverpool, working with Smith to completely rebuild her fighting style and adapt to the rigorous demands of professional boxing.

Smith's guidance is crucial in converting her Taekwondo-centric movements into effective boxing mechanics, focusing on hand speed, defensive posture, and the sustained power required for longer, multi-round bouts. This partnership signifies a serious, long-term commitment to her new career.

5. Following the Crossover Path of Champions

While the switch is challenging, Jones is not the first Olympic champion to make the leap. She can look to the success of athletes like Lauren Price and Chantelle Cameron, who have successfully transitioned from the amateur ranks to become formidable professional boxers.

These examples provide a clear roadmap that an Olympic-level mentality and dedication can translate into success in the professional boxing world. Jones's ambition is not just to compete, but to reach the top, aiming for world titles in her new weight class.

6. The Pressure of a New Legacy

The biggest challenge for Jones is managing the public and personal expectations that come with being a double Olympic champion. Fans will expect immediate success, but the nuances of professional boxing require patience and a steep learning curve. She has embraced this pressure, inviting the public to "follow my journey, the good, the bad, and the ugly," showcasing a transparency that defines her new chapter.

This journey is about proving that her legendary status was built on an inherent fighting spirit, not just a mastery of one specific martial art. Her first professional fight, though yet to be officially scheduled, is one of the most anticipated debuts in women's boxing.

7. More Than Just Taekwondo: The Other Jade Joneses

A final point of interest for fans searching for the Taekwondo star is the frequent confusion with other individuals who share her name. The internet often conflates her with Jade Jones, the fiancée of NBA star Tyrese Haliburton, and Jade Jones, the women's basketball player for the University of Houston. While these other figures have their own relevance, it is the Welsh warrior who has captured the attention of the global combat sports community with her historic Taekwondo career and her bold, high-stakes move to professional boxing.

As Jade Jones begins her new life in the ring, the sporting world watches with bated breath to see if the "Headhunter" can transform into a boxing world champion, cementing her legacy as one of Britain's most versatile and enduring fighting talents.