In front of a raucous hometown crowd at the Eco-Power Stadium, Doncaster, heroine Terri Harper delivered a commanding performance on Friday night, May 23, to retain her WBO Women’s Lightweight World Title, defeating previously unbeaten Natalie Zimmermann via unanimous decision in the main event of GBM Sports card, live on DAZN.
Harper (17-2-2, 6 KOs) dictated the pace from the opening bell, expertly neutralizing Zimmermann’s offense while showcasing her world-class skills.
The bout went the full 10 rounds, with 28-year-old Harper controlling the action and drawing chants of “Yorkshire” from the crowd after an early left hook landed cleanly.
Despite suffering a late head clash that left Zimmermann badly bloodied, Harper’s dominance was never in doubt. Judges returned scores of 99-91 across the board.
After the fight, three-weight world champion Harper reiterated her desire to unify the division, calling out WBC Champion Caroline Dubois.
“That gets my fire burning. I said it the other day in the press conference, she rubs me up the wrong way… That fight makes sense.”
If a Dubois showdown can’t be secured, Harper is also eyeing bouts with Beatriz Ferreira (IBF) or Stephanie Han (WBA), saying: “I want to go on to fight the other champions and really step up.”
Headlining in her hometown added to the emotional weight of the night. Harper described headlining in her home city as a “dream come true.”
Maxi Hughes vs Archie Sharp
In the chief support bout, Maxi Hughes outfoxed a mobile and evasive Archie Sharp to secure a unanimous decision win and the WBC Silver Lightweight Championship, putting his name into the WBC world title contender conversation.
“I’ve had my heart set on the WBC world championship for a long time and tonight I took a big step closer to achieving that dream. This belt should earn me an eliminator bout for a shot at the world title, but maybe I can get an immediate title shot with it. Either way is fine with me,” he said.
The current WBC World Lightweight Champion is Shakur Stevenson, who won the belt in November 2023. Hughes also has unfinished business with WBC interim lightweight champion William Zepeda, who stopped him when they met in Las Vegas last year. Hughes says he would welcome a rematch.
Full Results:
Terri Harper def. Natalie Zimmermann – UD (99-91 x3)
Maxi Hughes def. Archie Sharp – UD (115-113, 116-112, 120-108)
Haitham Laamouz def. Jimmy Joe Flint – UD (98-93, 98-92, 96-94)
Lewis Sylvester def. Reece Mould – SD (97-93, 96-94, 94-96)
Taz Nadeem def. Bahadur Karami – UD (60-55)
Ed Hardy def. Darwing Martinez – UD (60-52)
Joe Haydon def. Lewis Booth – UD (78-75)
Ellie Hellewell def. Stevi Levy – UD (97-94)
Jamie Mellers def. Cameron Kaihau – TKO 2
