LONDON: British double Olympic taekwondo champion Jade Jones announced on Friday that she is switching sports to pursue a career as a professional boxer.

Jones, 31, who won gold at London 2012 and Rio 2016, will be trained by former British and Commonwealth champion Stephen Smith in Liverpool.

`Taekwondo has given me everything an incredible journey, unforgettable memories and the honour of representing my country on the biggest stage,` she said. `Pve given everything to taekwondo and I`m now readyfor a new challenge.

`Boxing has always fascinated me and Pm excited to test myself in a completely different arena.

Jones was only 19 when she won gold in the -57kg category in London and repeated the feat four years later before going on to clinch an elusive first world title in Manchester in 2019.

The build-up to her fourth Olympics in Paris last year was overshadowed by controversy over a missed drugs test in December 2023, for which she ultimately avoided a ban after UK Anti-Doping found she had commit-ted a no-fault violation on confidential medical grounds.

She exited in the first round at the Paris Games. Smith believes Jones has the tools for her new sport.

`Jade is a born fighter she`s proven that time and time again in taekwondo,` said Smith.

`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.`-AFP