Terri Harper speaks on the last press convention forward of her WBO light-weight title struggle towards Rhiannon Dixon –
Picture by Dave Thompson/Matchroom Boxing
26 September 2024
Image By Dave Thompson Matchroom Boxing
Terri Harper .
After being an impressive junior light-weight titlist early in her profession, Terri Harper took the acute choice to make a soar up as excessive as 4 divisions above, in quest of the proper division for her tall physique.
However after a 2-1-1 report together with a loss and a attract two title bouts, Harper reversed course and returned to the area under 135 kilos the place she had spent the sooner a part of her profession, and is now on the brink of face Rhiannon Dixon (10-0, 1 KO), for her WBO light-weight title on Saturday at at Sheffield’s Canon Medical Enviornment.
“The physique is feeling one of the best it’s ever felt. I really feel like a brand new particular person. It’s good to not be carrying round all of that further muscle and that further weight,” stated Harper (14-2-2, 6 KOs), at present rated at No. 1 at junior middleweight by The Ring as a result of her extended keep at that weight throughout her final couple of years as a professional. “I simply really feel like I’ve discovered this free pace. In coaching it’s simpler to coach. I feel for the primary time I’ve truly loved the load reduce. Pardon the pun nevertheless it has made me hungrier for the win on Saturday evening.”
It was in Harper’s earlier struggle (a welterweight title bout towards Sandy Ryan) that she realized that she had bitten on greater than what she may chew, a minimum of when it comes to sheer weight and measurement.
“Within the first spherical (towards Ryan), I went out and threw every part I had at her. After the primary spherical, that’s once I actually felt Sandy’s presence; the additional weight, the energy, simply every part. I couldn’t match it. I keep in mind (coach) Andrew (Bullcroft) saying to me after the third spherical, ‘Terri for those who’re not giving me something within the subsequent spherical, I’m stopping the struggle’ and that’s what he did.”
Regardless that she is aware of her foe has not had the identical publicity to large punchers and expert boxers that she had, Harper (who has confronted the likes of Natasha Jonas, Cecilia Braekhus, Ivana Habazin, Hannah Rankin and different former champs) will not be taking any probabilities together with her outspoken and flashy opponent.
“I’m a giant fan of Rhiannon. She’s very quick and her boxing model is very nice, however I’ve to take a look at what I’m good at. That is the primary time Rhiannon’s stepped up. I really feel like her preventing me is her first true problem. It’s an excellent struggle for each of us.
In all her humility, Harper know deep inside that she’s the slight favourite on this contest, and she or he is already trying ahead to no matter is coming subsequent.
“I simply need a good win to have fun with my group and my shut ones round me in order that I cement myself again into these weight divisions. I really feel like I’ve bought all of the expertise at this level in my profession to go on the market and placed on a dominant efficiency. It’ll be the primary time in a very long time that I’ll go into the ring with out disadvantages in weight. I really feel like this struggle is ideal for me.”
“I do know lots of fighters are awkward being in with southpaws, however I take pleasure in it. I’ve at all times discovered it snug being within the ring with them. I’ve been with my outdated newbie coach (Paul Durose) for the complete camp and dealing on little photographs that we are able to get off.
A press launch by Mathroom was used on this article.
