Sunday, December 22, 2024

Boxing: Rhiannon Dixon vs Terri Harper – ‘cursed’ world-title fight takes place on Saturday

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Terri Harper was rather reluctantly tucking into some porridge – mixed with courgette to “add volume” – when the phone rang.

The 27-year-old, who was cutting weight for her world-title challenge against WBO lightweight champion Rhiannon Dixon on 28 September, was told that headliner Johnny Fisher had suffered an injury.

“It’s happening again, is this fight cursed?” Harper asked herself.

The bout was due to take place at Manchester’s Co-op Live arena in August before an injury to main event fighter Jack Catterall.

It was rescheduled to the Utilita Arena in Sheffield for the following month, and then changed to London’s Copper Box when Dalton Smith pulled out with an injury.

After heavyweight Fisher’s withdrawal, however, promoters Matchroom insisted the fight went ahead.

Harper and Dixon were moved back to Sheffield and upgraded to the top of the card, albeit at the much smaller Canon Medical Arena.

“I’m just gutted for everyone who has picked up injuries,” Harper tells BBC Sport before Saturday’s bout.

“I’m just being very careful and getting wrapped up in bubble wrap.”

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