Terri Harper signs with Matchroom, fights on Nov. 2

Super featherweight contender Terri Harper has officially signed with Matchroom Boxing, and will return to action on the Nov. 2 card from Manchester, headlined by Katie Taylor’s move up to 140 pounds to take on titleholder Christina Linardatou.

Harper, 22, is a rising young star in women’s boxing, a native of Denarby, Yorkshire in England. She’s been seen on Matchroom cards already, last on May 10 when she defeated Claudia Lopez via sixth round stoppage on the JD NXTGEN show where Leigh Wood beat Ryan Doyle and Jordan Gill was upset by Enrique Tinoco.

Harper (8-0, 5 KO) last fought on July 19 in Rotherham, knocking out Nozipho Bell in the eighth round to win the vacant IBO title at 130 pounds. She’ll defend that belt, which isn’t a recognized world title by much of anyone, against veteran Viviane Obenauf on Nov. 2.

Harper said she “was in disbelief” when she found out about the offer from Matchroom.

“I always expected to go quite far with my boxing but not as quickly as I have done,” she said. “Everyone dreams of signing with Matchroom and I believe I’m in the perfect place to fulfil my potential. We originally planned on having around 10 fights before pushing on towards titles but opportunities came up and we knew we were ready.”

She says she’s been training for a while already, and is set for her return.

“I’ve been in the gym for a solid two months waiting for my fight date to be confirmed. They’re all going to be tough fights from now but that’s what I’m in this sport to do, prove myself against the best names out there.”

Former fighter Stefy Bull, who has promoted several cards Harper has fought on, including her last outing, will continue as her manager.

“Terri is a special talent and I know that Eddie (Hearn) will deliver world title opportunities for her on the biggest stage. Terri will grab those opportunities with both hands,” Bull said.

Obenauf (14-5, 7 KO) is a 32-year-old Brazilian based in Switzerland, and is known to UK fans. She lost a stoppage against Chantelle Cameron in Dec. 2017 in Leicester, but came back in Aug. 2018 to upset Natasha Jonas in Cardiff. Jonas had represented Great Britain at the 2012 Olympics.

The Taylor-Linardatou card will stream live on DAZN in the US, and air on Sky Sports in the UK.