Terri Harper homecoming world title defence in Doncaster announced
Terri Harper vs Natalie Zimmermann set for stadium showdown
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.
Harper 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.
Harper (15-2-2, 6 KO’s) can expect a hard-fought contest with her overseas opponent 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!"
42-year-old 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.”
Main Card
Terri Harper vs Natalie Zimmermann
10x2 WBO World Lightweight Championship
Maxi Hughes vs Archie Sharp
10x3 WBA Intercontinental Lightweight Championship
Reece Mould vs Lewis Sylvester
10x3 IBO Intercontinental Lightweight Championship
Tysie Gallagher vs Ebonie Jones
10x2 British, Commonwealth & WBO European Super Bantamweight Championship
Jimmy Joe Flint vs Haitham Laamouz
10x3 IBO Intercontinental
Maxi Hughes vs Archie Sharp
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.
Former IBO champ 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 favored 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.”
Tysie Gallagher vs Ebonie Jones
Also confirmed for May’s card 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 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.”
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.
