Terri Harper celebrates her historic title win over Rhiannon Dixon. Picture credit score: Mark Robinson, Matchroom Boxing.
Terri Harper ended her dwelling skid in one of the best ways doable.
An historic third divisional title was claimed by the Denaby Predominant-based boxer after a ten-round unanimous determination win over Rhiannon Dixon. Scores have been 97-93, 97-93 and 96-94 for Harper of their DAZN primary occasion Saturday at Park Group Area in Sheffield, England.
“For me, this was the perfect efficiency of my profession,” Harper stated after the win.
Harper grew to become the primary British lady to win titles in three weight divisions. She beforehand held titles at 130 and 154 kilos.
A return to light-weight got here after Harper (15-2-2, 6 knockouts) got here up properly quick in a bid to win a welterweight title in her final outing. A fourth-round stoppage to then-WBO 147-pound titlist Sandy Ryan (7-2-1, 3 KOs) in March left Harper with a two-fight winless streak. She was additionally held to a draw versus Cecilia Braekhus in her WBA 154-pound title protection final October.
Each fights befell in Sheffield. Her earlier look at dwelling was a fourth-round knockout to Alycia Baumgardner to finish her WBC 130-pound title reign.
Saturday’s conflict versus Dixon (9-1, 1 KO) noticed Harper much more comfy at light-weight than was the case at 147 and 154. Motion was robust to come back by early however it solely made Harper’s choose proper palms stand out that rather more.
Terri Harper discovered success along with her proper hand in her historic third divisional title win over Rhiannon Dixon on Sept. 28 in Sheffield, England. Picture credit score: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing.
Dixon struggled with Harper’s smothering when the 2 have been at shut quarters. The unbeaten light-weight couldn’t get off her punches throughout these moments and rapidly discovered herself down on the playing cards.
A dramatic momentum shift got here early within the sixth. Harper related with a proper hand however it got here simply as Dixon slammed dwelling a proper hook. The shot brought about Harper’s again leg to buckle and Dixon’s nook to erupt with enthusiasm in hopes to capitalize. Dixon couldn’t catch lightning in a bottle, nonetheless.
Rhiannon Dixon lands a proper hook within the sixth spherical of her WBO light-weight title protection versus Terri Harper on Sept. 28 in Sheffield, England. Picture credit score: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing.
Harper opened the seventh with a straight proper hand down the center. It set the tone for the steadiness of the battle as Dixon’s success solely got here moderately. She managed to slim the hole on one scorecard down the stretch however noticed her reign finish within six months.
Dixon gained the vacant WBO light-weight title in an April 13 determination win over Karen Elizabeth Carabajal in Manchester. She grew to become the primary educated titleholder below former WBA light-weight titlist Anthony Crolla, a Manchester icon in his heyday.
Nonetheless, Dixon described the efficiency as a letdown and vowed to do higher versus Harper. She by no means got here shut to creating good on that promise.
In the meantime, Harper has resurrected her profession after being written off at age 27.
The win was her first since she outpointed Ivana Habazin to win the WBA 154-pound title final Could 27 in Manchester. She needed to anticipate weeks to land this battle, which was rescheduled three separate occasions as a consequence of postponements on exhibits to which it was beforehand hooked up. This card alone noticed two beforehand scheduled headliners fall via.
A command determination was made to have the battle prime its personal invoice reasonably than stay on the mercy of others.
“I’m so glad we saved this present alongside,” stated promoter Eddie Hearn. “These women have been coaching for thus lengthy. We made the choice to maintain the occasion and she or he made historical past. Now she sits getting ready to some large fights. There’s some massive names on the market in [and around] this determination.”
Harper joins Matchroom-promoted Katie Taylor (23-1, 6 KOs) and Beatriz Ferreira (5-0, 2 KOs) on the light-weight title stage.
Eire’s Taylor just isn’t anticipated to return to the 135-pound division. She holds THE RING/undisputed championship at 140, which she defends versus RING featherweight champion Amanda Serrano (47-2-1, 31 KOs) of their Nov. 15 rematch in Arlington, Texas. Nevertheless, the WBC and WB permitted her to carry their belts at each weights, regardless of it violating their guidelines.
Taylor vacated the WBO and IBF 135-pound titles after her 140-pound championship win over Chantelle Cameron final November.
Ferreira claimed the IBF chip in an April 27 factors win over Yanina del Carmen Lescano in Liverpool. The battle was her final earlier than a second Olympic tour, the place she gained a Bronze in Paris to go along 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 main candidate to compete for the WBA light-weight belt as soon as it turns into obtainable.
Now armed with a belt at a weight extra befitting her body, Harper is ready for any and all comers.
“It’s so good to be again on this state of affairs,” exclaimed Harper.
