Exclusive: Terri Harper Warns Caroline Dubois as She Targets Undisputed Lightweight Crown

Terri Harper has warned fellow Briton Caroline Dubois that she aims to become undisputed champion of the lightweight division after making what will prove an emotional return to the ring in Doncaster.

Six months after wrestling the WBO title away from Rhiannon Dixon, the 28-year-old is set to make the first defence of her crown against unbeaten German Natalie Zimmermann at the Eco Power Stadium in May.

Having previously held world honours at super-featherweight and light middleweight, Harper is a heavy favourite to dispatch the talented but largely untested Zimmermann. 

If, as expected, she does prevail then collecting the WBA, IBF and WBC belts - the latter of which is held by Dubois - is next on her agenda.

“One hundred percent, I want to become undisputed,” Harper, speaking exclusively to SportsBoom.com, revealed. 

“And why not? Why can’t I do that?"

“I’ve already achieved many great things in my career. But I want to achieve many more great things and doing that is one of them."

“I’m not talking about being unified. I’m talking about being undisputed.”

“I’m proud of what I’ve done so far,” Harper continued. 

“But I’m not satisfied. I’m never satisfied."

“That’s my nature. That’s the kind of person I am."

“I think the day you do become satisfied is probably the day you’ve got to sit yourself down and have a serious think about what you are actually doing."

“There’s some great fights out there for me and there’s some really good champions as well. I want to face them all and prove that I’m the best of the lot.”

STAR ATTRACTION

Harper, who hails from nearby Denaby Main, is scheduled to be the star attraction on this spring’s show at the home of Doncaster Rovers Football Club. 

Despite being contracted to Matchroom, she urged Eddie Hearn to allow her to headline an event which is being put together by rival promoter Izzy Asif of GBM Sports and designed to showcase the best of the city’s boxing talent.

Harper has not fought in front of her local supporters since defeating Bojano Libiszewska in 2013 and admitted, having received Hearn’s blessing to take part, that it is likely to be the most poignant moment of what has been a stellar career.

“When I heard that GBM were coming here, I told everybody I needed to be on that card,” she said. 

“My management team and Matchroom have allowed my dream to come true. I can’t thank them enough for doing that and this night is going to be truly special for me and my fans who have followed me everywhere through the ups and the downs.”

Harper (15-2-2) was called-out by Dubois following September’s victory over Dixon. 

Although she wants to face the Londoner, whose older brother Daniel is the IBF heavyweight champion, the terms being offered were not deemed worthy by Harper’s advisors given their client’s standing within the sport. 

Dubois (11-0-1) beat Bo Mi Re Shin at the Royal Albert Hall last week to retain her version of the title.

Harper, who counts Sandy Ryan, Alycia Baumgardner, Ivana Habazin and Natasha Jonas as former opponents, said: “I think, even myself, I don’t appreciate how long I’ve been up there with and in and around the very best."

"This next fight, because of where it’s at, will allow me to soak up everything and reflect on what I’ve achieved so far."

“But, like I say, I’m not satisfied with all of that. I still want more.”