Terri Harper: A New Beginning

Terri Harper: A New Beginning

Terri Harper will begin a new chapter in her career in Birmingham on August 29th. The Denaby fighter will start the chase for a world title in a fourth weight division when she takes on the American Miranda Reyes, when Jake Paul brings his Most Valuable Promotions to UK soil for the second time.

Reyes has lost previously to current world lightweight champions Caroline Dubois and Stephanie Han, and will be a nice little yardstick to what the future holds for Harper. Harper hopes that the future will include a few more world titles. There is every chance it will be.

The 29-year-old lost her WBO world lightweight title to Caroline Dubois in April in their much-anticipated all-British unification showdown. Harper performed much better than many expected. She survived a knockdown and took Dubois the distance. Harper lost wide on the cards, but I thought those scorecards were a little harsh on her. The fight was a lot more competitive than the three scoring officials had it.

Harper has been written off many times in her career, but at 29, it would be unfair to say the end is nigh. Even in defeat to Dubois, the manner of her performance at the Olympia strongly suggests Harper might have a few glory nights left in her.

The three-division world champion is now looking to create even more history. Harper now has eyes on the super-lightweight division. The switch to 140 couldn’t be better timed.

A week after Harper fights Reyes, Katie Taylor will have her farewell fight. Taylor gets her dream farewell at Croke Park, and if, as expected, she beats Flora Pili, the Irish legend will walk away the undisputed world super-lightweight champion of the world. Harper could be one of the fighters who benefits.

Taylor’s impending retirement will then see the 140 baubles splinter, and Harper could be in the right place at the right time. A good performance against Reyes, and with her MVP connections, it’s not that hard to envisage Harper being manoeuvred into fighting for one of those vacant world titles.