Terri Harper defends her WBO lightweight title for the first time against Natalie Zimmermann at the Eco-Power Stadium in Doncaster on Friday night.
Izzy Asif’s GBM Sports promote Harper vs Zimmermann, whilst DAZN televise the card live worldwide.
Since losing her WBC and IBO super featherweight crowns via stoppage to Alycia Baumgardner in 2021, Harper (15-2-2, 6 KOs) has been in patchy form in the main.
The 28-year-old moved all up to super welterweight to take WBA and IBO belts from Hannah Rankin on points in 2022, but was then held to a draw by Cecilia Braekhus in October 2023, before losing in another attempt at the WBO crown, retiring after four against Sandy Ryan in March last year.
‘Belter’ returned to form though six months later, taking a points win against Rhiannon Dixon in Sheffield to capture the title she defends this weekend.
The Doncaster favourite now faces Germany’s Zimmermann (13-0, 3 KOs), who is unbeaten, but massively unproven.
The 42-year-old fought twice in 2024, both in Spain, the last a ten round points win against Katerina Dvorakova.
Prediction: Harper will want to put on a show for her local fans, and she can do that here by winning widely on points.
Hughes clashes with Sharp
Heading the undercard is a cracking-looking clash at lightweight, with Maxi Hughes and Archie Sharp contesting the WBC Silver title.
Hughes (28-7-2, 6 KOs) has had a real renaissance in the last few years, and was dominant in his most recent outing, winning all ten rounds against Gary Cully in Monaco.
Sharp (25-1, 9 KOs) is coming off a clear points loss to Ryan Garner last July, and that has prompted a move up in weight.
Prediction: Hughes is a solid operator at lightweight, and he may have too much for Sharp, winning handily on the scorecards.
Gallagher meets Jones
The British and Commonwealth titles are at stake at super bantamweight, and Tysie Gallagher (9-2) should retain her belts with a points win over Ebonie Jones (6-0-1).
Remaining Undercard
In other ten rounders, former British featherweight champion, Reece Mould (20-3, 6 KOs) may have too much experience for Lewis Sylvester (15-1, 4 KOs) and can come through on points to take the vacant IBO lightweight title, while James Flint (15-2-2, 3 KOs) can claim the same vacant belt at super lightweight by the same method against Haithem Laamouz (20-2, 9 KOs) of Malta.
Ellie Hellewell (6-0, 1 KO) can go the ten round distance for the first time with a win on the cards against Stevi Levy (13-3, 1 KO).
The sole eight rounder is at super welterweight, where Joe Hayden (17-0, 1 KO) can record a points win over Lewis Booth (16-1).
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In six round contests, Taz Nadeem (5-0, 3 KOs) should take a win over the distance against Bahadur Karami (4-29-4, 1 KO) at super middleweight, and at featherweight, Edward Hardy (3-0, 2 KOs) can do the same against Darwing Martinez (8-31-2, 6 KOs).
Super welterweight prospect, Amaar Akbar (8-0, 1 KO) should take victory on points against Jake Smith (1-30-2), and Ted Jackson (3-0, 1 KO) can also win on points against Kristaps Zulgis (8-57-3, 4 KOs) at middleweight.
At super welterweight, Jamie Mellers (7-1) should be another winner on the cards against Cameron Kaihau (9-1).
