The Head Hunter's New Chapter: 5 Shocking Facts About Jade Jones's Switch To Professional Boxing

As of December 2025, the name Jade Jones is synonymous with sporting royalty in Great Britain, yet the question "Who is Jade Jones?" has taken on a fresh, new meaning. For over a decade, she was the undisputed queen of Taekwondo, a fierce competitor whose lightning-fast kicks earned her the nickname "The Head Hunter" and secured two historic Olympic Gold medals. Her legacy was cemented as the first-ever British Olympic Taekwondo champion, a feat she doubled four years later.

However, the biggest news surrounding the Welsh legend today is not another medal, but a complete career pivot. In a move that stunned the martial arts world, Jade Jones confirmed her retirement from Taekwondo and announced her decision to pursue a career as a professional boxer, marking a definitive end to one glorious chapter and the start of an electrifying new one.

Jade Jones: Full Biographical Profile

Jade Jones has built a career defined by groundbreaking achievements and a relentless competitive spirit. Here are the key facts about the double Olympic champion:

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• Full Name: Jade Louise Jones
• Date of Birth: March 21, 1993
• Place of Birth: Bodelwyddan, Wales (often associated with Flint, her hometown)
• Nationality: British (Welsh)
• Nickname: The Head Hunter
• Primary Sport: Taekwondo (Retired)
• Current Sport: Professional Boxing (Switched in 2025)
• Taekwondo Category: –57 kg (Featherweight)
• Height: Approximately 168.9 cm (5 ft 6 ½ in)
• Weight: Competed at 57 kg
• Honours: Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
• Training Base: Formerly the GB Taekwondo training centre in Manchester

The Taekwondo Legacy: From Youth Olympic Gold to World Champion

Jade Jones’s dominance in the Taekwondo world was a masterclass in consistency and tactical brilliance. Her journey began in earnest when she was invited to train at the GB Taekwondo National Training Centre in Manchester, a key move that propelled her into the elite ranks.

Her first major international breakthrough came at the inaugural 2010 Youth Olympic Games in Singapore, where she secured the Gold medal in the 55kg class. This was merely a prelude to her senior career, which quickly became legendary.

The defining moments of her career came at the Olympic Games. At London 2012, Jones made history by winning Britain's first-ever Olympic Gold medal in Taekwondo, captivating the home crowd with her aggressive style and signature head kicks, which gave rise to her famous nickname, "The Head Hunter." She successfully defended her title at the Rio 2016 Games, becoming the first British Taekwondo athlete to win two Olympic Gold medals. Her medal haul is staggering and a testament to her dedication to the sport of *kyorugi* (full-contact Taekwondo sparring):

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• Olympic Games: 2 x Gold Medals (2012, 2016)
• World Championships: 1 x Gold Medal (2019); 2 x Silver Medals (2011, 2017)
• European Championships: 3 x Gold Medals (2014, 2016, 2021)

The Shock Career Pivot: Why Jade Jones Switched to Professional Boxing

Despite her unparalleled success, Jade Jones announced in early 2025 that she was officially retiring from Taekwondo to pursue a career in professional boxing. This decision was a major talking point in the sporting world, especially after her disappointing performance at the Tokyo 2020 (held in 2021) Olympics, where she failed to secure a third consecutive medal.

For Jones, the switch was driven by a need for a fresh challenge and renewed excitement. She openly admitted to feeling "scared" and lacking the necessary "fire" in her final Taekwondo appearances. Boxing, a sport that shares the striking and footwork elements of Taekwondo, offered a new, exhilarating path.

The transition is a formidable undertaking. While Jones possesses elite-level striking power and incredible fitness, professional boxing requires a different stance, defensive technique, and ring strategy. She has expressed her commitment to leaving "no stone unturned," including a bold move to Croatia to train with a new coach and training partners, demonstrating her serious intent for success in her new discipline. Her goal is not just to participate, but to reach the pinnacle of professional boxing, mirroring the success she found in the Taekwondo ring.

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A Note on Clarity: The Two Famous Jade Joneses

In the age of viral sports news, it is important to clarify that the Taekwondo champion is not the only high-profile figure sharing the name. A separate individual, also named Jade Jones, frequently appears in current sports headlines, particularly in the United States.

This other Jade Jones is the fiancée of NBA star Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers. She is a former collegiate basketball player who gained significant media attention following her engagement to Haliburton in mid-2025 and her frequent courtside appearances. While both women are prominent figures in the sports world, the Welsh Taekwondo star remains the individual with the deep, two-decade-long career of international athletic dominance.

What’s Next for The Head Hunter in the Boxing Ring?

The sporting world is eagerly watching to see how Jade Jones, the former Taekwondo champion, fares in her new boxing career. Her transition is one of the most compelling sporting stories of late 2025, offering a unique blend of established elite athleticism meeting a completely new professional challenge. Her legendary tenacity, honed over years of Olympic training, suggests that the "Head Hunter" will be a formidable force, bringing her explosive power and precision to the boxing ring. The expectation is that she will quickly make her professional debut and begin her ascent through the ranks, aiming for world titles in a second major combat sport.