HUGE HOMECOMING FOR TERRI HARPER AS SHE HEADLINES DONCASTER ROVERS’ ECO-POWER STADIUM ON MAY 23rd

HUGE HOMECOMING FOR TERRI HARPER AS SHE HEADLINES DONCASTER ROVERS’ ECO-POWER STADIUM ON MAY 23rd

• Harper headlines 15,000-capacity Eco-Power hometown stadium in WBO World Lightweight Championship defence against undefeated German challenger Zimmerman, live on DAZN
• Maxi Hughes and Archie Sharp throw down for WBA Intercontinental Lightweight Championship
• Tysie Gallagher lays British, Commonwealth & WBO European Super-Bantamweight Championship on the line against lifelong rival Ebonie Jones
• Tickets on sale via Doncaster Rovers FC website; Pre-Sale begins Friday, General Sale from Saturday

The biggest professional boxing event in South Yorkshire’s storied boxing history will take place Friday, May 23rd when GBM Sports, the UK’s fastest-growing promotion, takes over the 15,000-capacity Eco-Power Stadium – home of Doncaster Rovers FC – for a northern powerhouse card, live and exclusively on DAZN.

Hometown heroine Terri Harper headlines in a WBO World Lightweight Championship defence presented in association with Matchroom Boxing. She faces the undefeated German standout Natalie Zimmerman (13-0, 3 KO’s), who has battled her way up the rankings to become mandatory challenger for the Doncaster dynamo’s world title.

The prestigious WBO belt was for many years, the property of Irish female boxing icon Katie Taylor. Harper (15-2-2, 6 KO’s) can expect a hard-fought contest with her overseas in front of a very vocal sold-out crowd.

Harper said, “I’m so excited and grateful for this opportunity. Stepping into the ring at the Eco Power Stadium in front of a sold-out crowd in my home city of Doncaster is one of those things you dream about as a kid.

“The people of Doncaster have backed me every step of the way, through the highs and lows, and now it’s my turn to give them a night to remember. I’m ready to put on a show and successfully defend my world title in style!”

Zimmerman said, “I want to thank GBM for giving me this opportunity. It’s been my dream from day one to fight a name like Terri Harper, and now that dream is coming true. It’s a great honour for me to have this platform to showcase my skills against a fighter like Terri.”

A five-fight main card featuring seven title fights was announced at today’s press conference:

Terri Harper vs. Natalie Zimmermann 

(10×2 – WBO World Lightweight Championship)  

Maxi Hughes vs. Archie Sharp 

(10×3 – WBA Intercontinental Lightweight Championship)  

Reece Mould vs. Lewis Sylvester 

(10×3 – IBO Intercontinental Lightweight Championship)  

Tysie Gallagher vs. Ebonie Jones 

(10×2 – British, Commonwealth & WBO European Super Bantamweight Championship)  

Jimmy Joe Flint vs. Haitham Laamouz 

(10×3 – IBO Intercontinental)  

One of the standout bouts of the evening is the co-main event between Maxi Hughes and Archie Sharp, a clash that has the potential to steal the spotlight. Both lightweights are eager to make their mark on the world stage, setting the stage for a thrilling contest.

Hughes (28-7-2, 6 KOs), is coming off a dominant points victory over Gary Cully – a crucial win following consecutive losses to William Zepeda and George Kambosos Jr. His defeat to Kambosos, however, remains controversial, with many believing the majority decision unfairly favoured the Australian.

Sharp, meanwhile, will be looking to bring consistency back to his career after periods of inactivity in recent years. At 29 years old, he sees this fight as a key opportunity to regain momentum.

Hughes said, “This is the kind of fight you dream of, fighting in the stadium in your home city. And I’ve got what I wanted here, a really dangerous opponent. I didn’t want someone who was just going to be a run-out for me. Archie Sharp has fought at a really high level, and he’s going to bring out the best in me.”

Sharp said, “I’ve moved up to 135lbs at last because the cut to 130lbs was getting too hard. I hung on too long at that weight because I was ranked #1 in the world with the WBO and kept having huge fights dangled with Shakur Stevenson.” 

Also confirmed for May’s card today is the highly-anticipated British, Commonwealth & WBO European Super-Bantamweight Championship bout between defending challenger Tysie Gallagher (9-2) and her lifelong rival Ebonie Jones (6-0-1).

With  a rivalry stretching back to their first contest as 12-year-old amateurs, their planned February showdown was postponed when Gallagher suffered the sudden violent loss of a family member and had to suspend her training camp. Now fully locked-in to her training schedule, the two look to settle their score in May.

“I’m expecting to put on a boxing clinic and a dominant performance. I can’t tell you exactly how it ends, but I can tell you the belts are coming home with me to Luton,” b

Jones responded, “I am not much of a talker, I do my talking in the ring. All I’ll say is I am looking forward to putting on a show on Fight Night on May 23rd.”

GBM founder Izzy Asif said, “When we told everyone we’d be big things this year, we meant it – It doesn’t get much bigger than a football stadium show at one of the best grounds in the north of England.

“Doncaster’s own Terri Harper in the headline slot will be living the dream as she walks out in her hometown stadium to the roar of a sold-out crowd and we’ve got more title fights to add to the huge main card. 

“It’s going to be a huge night for British boxing with an amazing atmosphere, all of it airing live and exclusively worldwide on DAZN.” 

All ticketing is via the Doncaster Rovers website.

The Exclusive Ticket Pre-Sale takes place this Friday to fans who have registered for the pre-sale via the Doncaster Rovers website.

Pre-Sale Registration is open now.

General sale begins on Saturday.