Terri Harper speaks at the final press conference before her WBO lightweight title fight against Rhiannon Dixon – Photo by Dave Thompson/Matchroom Boxing September 26, 2024 Photo by Dave Thompson Matchroom Boxing Terri Harper.
After being a standout junior lightweight titleholder early in her career, Terri Harper made the extreme decision to jump up as high as four divisions in search of the right division for her tall frame.
But after a 2-1-1 record, including a loss and a tie in two title fights, Harper has reversed course and returned to the sub-135-pound region where she spent the earlier part of her career, and now makes set to face Rhiannon Dixon (10-0, 1 KO), for her WBO lightweight title on Saturday at Sheffield’s Canon Medical Arena.
“The body feels the best it has ever felt. I feel like a new person. It’s nice not to carry around all that extra muscle and that extra weight,” says Harper (14-2-2, 6 KOs), currently rated No. 1 at junior middleweight by The Ring due to her prolonged stay at that weight during her last few years as a pro. “I just feel like I found this free speed. In training it is easier to train. I think for the first time I actually enjoyed the weight loss. Pardon the pun, but it made me hungrier for the win on Saturday night.”
It was in Harper’s previous fight (a welterweight title fight against Sandy Ryan) that she realized she had bitten off more than she could chew, at least in terms of sheer weight and size.
“In the first round (against Ryan) I went out and threw everything I had at her. After the first round, that’s when I really felt Sandy’s presence; the extra weight, the power, just everything. I couldn’t match it. I remember (trainer) Andrew (Bullcroft) said to me after the third round, ‘Terri if you don’t give me anything in the next round I’ll stop the fight’ and that’s what he did.
Even though she knows her foe hasn’t had the same exposure to big punchers and skilled boxers that she has, Harper (who has faced Natasha Jonas, Cecilia Braekhus, Ivana Habazin, Hannah Rankin and other former champions have) nothing. chances with her outspoken and flashy opponent.
“I’m a huge fan of Rhiannon. She is very fast and her boxing style is very nice, but I have to see what I am good at. This is Rhiannon’s first time performing. I feel like fighting with me is her first real challenge. It’s a big struggle for both of us.
In all her humility, Harper knows deep down that she’s the slight favorite in this competition, and she’s already looking forward to whatever comes next.
“I just want a good win to celebrate with my team and my loved ones around me so I stick myself back in these weight divisions. I feel like I have all the experience at this point in my career to go out there and put on a dominant performance. This will be the first time in a long time that I go into the ring without disadvantages in weight. I feel this fight is perfect for me.”
“I know a lot of fighters are uncomfortable being with southpaws, but I enjoy it. I always found it comfortable to be in the ring with them. I’ve been with my old amateur coach (Paul Durose) all camp and working on small shots that we can get off.
A press release by Mathroom was used in this article.
