Local Fan Favorites Terri Harper and Maxi Hughes Victorious in Doncaster

WBO world female lightweight champion Terri Harper had a successful homecoming tonight, turning away the challenge of Germany’s Natalie Zimmermann at a minor league soccer stadium in the West Yorkshire city of Doncaster. Harper won a lopsided decision (99-91 across the board) in the first defense of the title she won with a unanimous decision over previously undefeated Rhiannon Dixon. It was Harper first appearance in her hometown in seven years.

A 42-year-old physiotherapist with a background in Taekwondo and kickboxing, Zimmermann wasn’t expected to provide much opposition. As a conventional boxer, she was undefeated (13-0, 3 KOs) but hadn’t defeated an opponent with a winning record and was making her first start outside Germany. But she was gritty, albeit outclassed, and this was no stroll in the park for Terri Harper (pictured in the pink).

In the final round, Zimmermann suffered a terrible cut above her right eyebrow, the result, perhaps of an accidental head butt. Referee Steve Gray could have stopped the right there, but allowed the brave Zimmermann to go out on her shield.

Harper, who improved to 16-2-2 (6), has had an interesting career. She has fought at weights ranging from 130 to 154. Up next for her, more than likely is a unification fight with undefeated (11-0-1) Caroline Dubois, the former Olympian who owns the WBC version of the 135-pound title/

Semi-wind-up

Southpaw Maxie Hughes, a 33-year-old Yorkshireman, continued his late career surge with a unanimous 12-round decision over Archie Sharp who lost for the second time after opening his career 25-0. The judges had it 115-113, 116-112, and a head-scratching 120-108.

This was a tactical fight with more posturing and feinting than punches landed. The only memorable moment came in round seven when Hughes staggered Sharp with a counter left hand.

Hughes, 35, improved to 29-7-2 (6). The slumping Sharp, making his debut as a lightweight, was once ranked #1 at 130 by the WBO and in line for a match with Shakur Stevenson.

Also

Well-traveled Maltese junior welterweight Haithem Laamouz won a 10-round unanimous decision over Doncaster’s Jimmy Joe Flint (15-3-2). The scores were 98-92, 98-93, and 96-94.

Flint injured his right shoulder in the second round, perhaps a dislocation but more likely a strain, but gutted things out and did some of his best work in the late rounds. Laamouz, who improved to 21-2 (9), pressed the action but didn’t punch hard enough to hurt the largely one-armed Flint (15-3-2) who went to post an 8/1 favorite and would likely be favored in a rematch.

The twice-postponed 10-round contest between Tysie Gallagher (9-2) and Ebonie Jones (6-0-1) was postponed once again when Jones failed to make weight. Gallagher would have been making the second defense of her regional 122-pound strap.

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