Terri Harper celebrates her historic title win over Rhiannon Dixon. Photo credit: Mark Robinson, Matchroom Boxing.
Terri Harper ended her home shooting in the best way possible.
An historic third division title was claimed by the Denaby Main-based boxer after a ten-round unanimous decision victory over Rhiannon Dixon. The scores were 97-93, 97-93 and 96-94 for Harper in their DAZN main event Saturday at Park Community Arena in Sheffield, England.
“For me, it was the best performance of my career,” Harper said after the win.
Harper became the first British woman to win titles in three weight divisions. She previously held titles at 130 and 154 pounds.
A return to lightweight came after Harper (15-2-2, 6 KOs) came up short in a bid to win a welterweight title in her last outing. A fourth-round stoppage of then-WBO 147-pound titlist Sandy Ryan (7-2-1, 3 KOs) in March left Harper on a two-fight winless streak. She was also drawn against Cecilia Braekhus in her WBA 154-pound title defense last October.
Both fights took place in Sheffield. Her previous appearance at home was a fourth-round knockout of Alycia Baumgardner to end her WBC 130-pound title.
Saturday’s matchup against Dixon (9-1, 1 KO) has Harper much more comfortable at lightweight than was the case at 147 and 154. It was tough coming early, but that only made Harper’s choice right hands stand out that much more.
Terri Harper had success with her right hand in her historic third division title victory over Rhiannon Dixon on September 28 in Sheffield, England. Photo Credit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing.
Dixon struggled with Harper’s choke when the two were close. The undefeated lightweight couldn’t get off her punches during those moments and quickly found herself on the charts.
A dramatic momentum shift came early in the sixth. Harper connected with a right hand, but it came just as Dixon landed a right hook. The shot caused Harper’s back leg to bend and Dixon’s corner erupted with enthusiasm, hoping to capitalize. However, Dixon could not catch lightning in a bottle.
Rhiannon Dixon lands a right hook in the sixth round of her WBO lightweight title defense against Terri Harper on September 28 in Sheffield, England. Photo Credit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing.
Harper opened the seventh with a straight right hand up the middle. This set the tone for the balance of the fight as Dixon’s success only came in moderation. She managed to further close the gap on one scorecard, but saw her reign end within six months.
Dixon won the vacant WBO lightweight title in an April 13 decision victory over Karen Elizabeth Carabajal in Manchester. She became the first trained titleholder under former WBA lightweight titleholder Anthony Crolla, a Manchester icon in his prime.
Still, Dixon described the performance as a disappointment and vowed to do better against Harper. She never came close to fulfilling that promise.
Meanwhile, Harper revived her career after being written off at the age of 27.
The win was her first since outpointing Ivana Habazin to win the WBA 154lb title last May 27 in Manchester. She had to wait weeks to land this fight, which was rescheduled three separate times due to postponements of shows it was previously attached to. This card alone saw two previously scheduled headliners fall through.
A command decision was made to leave the battle at the top of his own account rather than remain at the mercy of others.
“I’m so glad we kept this show going,” said promoter Eddie Hearn. “These girls have been training for so long. We made the decision to hold the event and she made history. Now she sits on the brink of some massive battles. There are some big names in (and around) this decision.”
Harper joins Matchroom promoted Katie Taylor (23-1, 6 KOs) and Beatriz Ferreira (5-0, 2 KOs) on the lightweight title stage.
Ireland’s Taylor is not expected to return to the 135-pound division. She holds THE RING/undisputed championship at 140, which she defends against RING featherweight champion Amanda Serrano (47-2-1, 31 KOs) in their November 15 rematch in Arlington, Texas. However, the WBC and WB allowed her to hold onto their belts at both weights, despite it breaking their rules.
Taylor vacated the WBO and IBF 135-pound titles following her 140-pound championship victory over Chantelle Cameron last November.
Ferreira claimed the IBF chip in an April 27 points victory over Yanina del Carmen Lescano in Liverpool. The fight was her last before a second Olympic tour, where she won a bronze in Paris to go with her silver medal from Tokyo.
Caroline Dubois (10-0, 5 KOs) holds the interim WBC title. Jessica Camara (14-4, 3 KOs) is the leading candidate to compete for the WBA lightweight belt once it becomes available.
Now armed with a belt with a weight more suited to her frame, Harper is prepared for any and all arrivals.
“It’s so good to be back in this situation,” Harper exclaimed.
