Heather Hardy and Terri Harper and More Fight News
By David A. Avila
In a surprise move, England’s Terri Harper and America’s Heather Hardy will meet in a lightweight clash in the United Kingdom in March said Matchroom Boxing.
Harper, the former super featherweight world titlist and Hardy, the former featherweight world titlist, will meet at Nottingham, England on March 12. The site selected is the Motorpoint Arena. DAZN will stream the Matchroom Boxing fight card.
Rumors had spread that Harper would be facing Ireland’s Katie Taylor in a lightweight match, but the announcement last Wednesday that New York City’s Hardy was the selection of choice caught many off-guard. Still, it was a spark of excitement.
Hardy has always been known for her physical and mental toughness. A recent move to the lightweight division last year saw her lose a spirited fight against Jessica Camara. It was her second consecutive loss. Her first defeat was against Amanda Serrano two years earlier. In both fights, the Brooklyn-based fighter showed her grit with a refusal to submit or surrender.
It was typical Hardy.
Now the blonde prizefighter sees this upcoming challenge as a re-birth.
“I’m genuinely grateful for this opportunity! Not everyone gets a second chance, especially at my age. I get to be on this stage, on this platform, with one more chance to show myself and the world what I can do,” said Hardy, 39, the former WBO featherweight world titleholder.
Harper, recently lost the WBC super featherweight title to another American Alycia Baumgardner. It was slightly unexpected. But anything can happen in boxing.
“I’m really excited for this fight,” said Harper, 25. “Heather Hardy is a real icon in female boxing, when I first turned professional she was world champion and I loved watching her fights. She’s super tough and always gives 100% in the ring.”
A win by either fighter puts them back in front as a legitimate future foe for either Taylor or Serrano who are slated to meet in the spring.
It’s a battle between two former world champions in a higher weight category. Both are noted action fighters and eager to meet.
“She is a big name with a big following and I’m grateful for the opportunity to share a ring with her,” said Harper of Hardy.
Hardy is equally excited for the opportunity.
“I’m generally grateful for this opportunity,” Hardy said.
Mossely Signs with Probellum
Estelle Mossely, the IBO lightweight world titlist, signed with American promoter Probellum it was announced on Sunday.
Mossely, who was born in Paris, France, won the 2016 Olympic gold medal in Rio de Janiero, Brazil representing France. She defeated Ireland’s Katie Taylor to advance to the gold medal round.
As a professional Mossely captured the IBO lightweight title by defeating Lucy Wildheart in a battle between undefeated in June 2019. She has defended the title twice successfully.
“I have been a fan of Estelle since her historic gold at the 2016 Rio Olympics, said Richard Schaefer president of Probellum. “Not only because of her tremendous boxing skills, but also the way she carries herself outside of the ring which makes her in my view the best ambassador for female boxing in the world.”
Mossely (9-0) last fought in March 2021 when she defeated Verena Kaiser (14-2) by unanimous decision after 10 rounds at Nantes, France.
“I have known Richard for many years and his track record as a promoter speaks for itself. He really knows how to build champions into superstars and I’m excited to start working closely with him,” said Mossely.
Shields PPV
Claressa Shields (11-0) returns to the boxing ring back at middleweight and faces Ema Kozin (21-0-1) in a defense of the middleweight world championship on Saturday Feb. 5, in Cardiff, Wales. It will be televised on pay-per-view.
Shields last fought almost a year ago when she vanquished Canada’s Marie Eve Dicaire to become undisputed super welterweight champion back on March 5, in Flint, Michigan. She is back at middleweight and ready to resume her grip on the middleweight division.
A win by Shields will lead to a showdown with Savannah Marshall who holds the WBO middleweight title. Marshall and Shields have met before as amateurs with Marshall winning by decision.
More Fight News
Argentina
Gabriela Alaniz (12-0) knocked out Johana Zuniga (16-2) in the fourth round on Saturday Jan. 22. The flyweight title fight took place at Buenos Aires. Also, Sol Cudos (2-0) defeated Victoria Benavidez (0-4) by decision after four rounds in a flyweight bout.
On Saturday Jan. 29, super bantamweights Marianela Ramirez (7-7-2) and Natalia Alderete (4-6) meet 10 rounds for the vacant South American title at Cordoba.
Chile
Vicky Quevedo (2-0) won by unanimous decision after four rounds versus Barbara Velasquez (0-1) on Saturday Jan. 22. The super lightweight match was held at Copiapo.
Germany
On Sunday Jan. 30, super featherweights Cecile Forstner (4-0) and Betina Krumholz (0-1) meet four rounds at Landau.
Japan
On Monday Jan. 31, atomweights Megumi Watanabe (1-0) and Hamburg Hiroko (1-0) meet four rounds at Tokyo.
Russia
On Monday Jan. 31, bantamweights Natalia Samokhina (0-0) and Karina Tazabekova (0-0) meet eight rounds for the Russian title at Moscow.
Serbia
On Saturday Jan. 29 lightweights Valentina Keri (5-5) and Marina Damjanovic (0-1) meet four rounds at Belgrade.
South Africa
On Thursday Jan. 27, super bantamweights Gabisile Tshabalala (10-5-1) and Ellen Simwaka (8-5-2) meet eight rounds at Gaunteng.
Tanzania
Zawadi Kutaka (2-0) won by technical knockout in the first round against Magreth Mangali (0-1) on Saturday Jan. 22. The super flyweight bout took place at Dar es Salaam.
USA
On Saturday Jan. 29, super middleweights Chantiqua Hemingway (1-0) and Jozette Cotton (0-0-1) meet four rounds at Pittsburgh, Penn.
Zambia
On Saturday Jan. 22, super bantamweights Catherine Phiri (16-4) and Kudakwashe Chiwandire (4-2-1) meet 10 rounds at Lusaka. Phiri is a former bantamweight world champion.
(Photo by Daily Star)