Terri Harper ready for return, expects fight date to be announced soon

WBC junior lightweight titlist Terri Harper sounds like she’s about ready to get back into the ring for her first fight since last November’s win over Katharina Thanderz.

Harper posted photos from a “weight check” on Wednesday, alongside Gavin McDonnell, who fights April 23 in Spain for the European featherweight title against Andoni Gago. That gives the impression she’s already been training and probably has something ready but not officially announced yet.

“Excited for my fight date announcement,” Harper posted. “Not long until I’m back through them ropes.”

2020 was the breakout year for the 24-year-old Harper (11-0-1, 6 KO), as she won the WBC belt from Eva Wahlstrom in February, then went to an exciting and disputed draw with Natasha Jonas in August before beating Thanderz in November via ninth round TKO.

Harper suffered a broken hand in the win over Thanderz, but is healthy and ready to go. There has been a lot of hope that the 130 lb division can see full unification by the end of 2021, with Matchroom having three of the titleholders (Harper, Hyun Mi Choi, and Maiva Hamadouche) and Top Rank promoting the other (Mikaela Mayer). It’s one of the more exciting divisions in women’s boxing, and any possible title unification matchup could be good entertainment.