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Harper Dominates Zimmerman; Calls Out Dubois For A Unification

Originally posted on BoxingNews.com | Last updated May 24, 2025 11:26 AM ET

Terri Harper dominated Natalie Zimmerman to retain her WBO Lightweight Title in a unanimous decision win: 99-91, 99-91 and 99-91.

Harper entered the fight with one win in her last three bouts, with a point to prove. The champion delivered to secure the first defense of her title with ease. Harper pushed Zimmerman on the back foot, using her guard to throw off one-two combinations. Harper was looking for the stoppage early, but Zimmerman showed heart to fight through to the middle rounds.

Zimmerman found some success in the sixth round. She landed to body and head to slow down Harper, as the champion may have pushed herself too much during the first half of the fight. Harper managed to regain her composure. She launched a body attack in the eighth, as she regained her upper hand. Harper continued to press the action until the final round, cutting Zimmerman above her right eye. The ringside doctor checked out Zimmerman. While she made it to the final, lost out on the scorecards. In her post-fight comments, Harper called out the WBC Lightweight Champion Caroline Dubois for a unification.

Post-Fight

“Very special night for me, very special training camp. Massive thanks to my opponent for putting on a great show in my hometown. She’s tough. She started strong, I thought I needed to stay switched on. Once I let the nerves settle and the occasion settle, I found my way in the fight. It’s given me memories I will treasure for a lifetime. Not just in my boxing career, but as a person away from the sport. I don’t know what’s next.

“For me I want to go on to fight the other champions of the division and really step up. I’m going to take some time off and see what happens, see if any contracts get sent over, get back to my team and work out a plan. Yes. 100%, that [Dubois fight] gets my fire burning. I said in the press conference she rubs me the wrong way. I think it makes a cracking fight and it makes sense. I’m usually tucked up in bed for half eight, so a massive thank you to everyone that has come out to support,” Harper said