Terri Harper (15-2-2, 6 KOs) will defend her WBO World lightweight championship to undefeated German challenger Natalie Zimmerman (13-0, 3 KOs) in a Doncaster homecoming on Friday, May 23, 2025.
It’s being dubbed the biggest event in South Yorkshire’s boxing history when GBM Sports takes over the 15,000-capacity Eco-Power Stadium – home of Doncaster Rovers FC – live and exclusively on DAZN.
Hometown heroine Harper headlines the stadium show, presented in association with Matchroom Boxing, in a defence of her WBO World lightweight championship, which she won in her last outing against undefeated domestic opponent Rhiannon Dixon in September 2024.
The 28-year-old Brit faces WBO No. 9 lightweight Zimmerman, who has worked her way up the rankings to become the mandatory challenger for the Doncaster dynamo.
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Three-weight world champ Harper can expect a hard-fought contest with her overseas opponent, in a setting where she will be roared on by a very passionate, partisan crowd.
“I’m so excited and grateful for this opportunity,” Harper, known as “Belter,” commented. “Stepping into the ring at the Eco Power Stadium in front of a sold-out crowd in my home city of Doncaster is one of those things you dream about as a kid.
“The people of Doncaster have backed me every step of the way, through the highs and lows, and now it’s my turn to give them a night to remember. I’m ready to put on a show and successfully defend my world title in style!”
Zimmerman, 42 from Hamburg, added, “I want to thank GBM [Sports] for giving me this opportunity. It’s been my dream from day one to fight a name like Terri Harper and now that dream is coming true. It’s a great honour for me to have this platform to showcase my skills against a fighter like Terri.”
Main Card
Terri Harper vs Natalie Zimmermann
10×2 WBO World Lightweight Championship
Maxi Hughes vs Archie Sharp
10×3 WBA Intercontinental Lightweight Championship
Reece Mould vs Lewis Sylvester
10×3 IBO Intercontinental Lightweight Championship
Tysie Gallagher vs Ebonie Jones
10×2 British, Commonwealth & WBO European Super Bantamweight Championship
Jimmy Joe Flint vs Haitham Laamouz
10×3 IBO Intercontinental
The co-main event between Maxi Hughes and Archie Sharp is a clash with the potential to steal the spotlight.
WBA No. 4 “Maximus” Hughes (28-7-2, 6 KOs) is coming off a dominant points victory over Gary Cully in December – a crucial result following consecutive losses to William Zepeda and George Kambosos Jr.
The former IBO World champion’s defeat to “Ferocious” Kambosos remains controversial, with many believing the majority decision unfairly favoured the Australian.
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Former WBO No. 1 super-featherweight Sharp, meanwhile, will be looking to bring consistency back to his career after difficulties with activity and management.
At 29, the south Londoner views this fight as a key opportunity to regain momentum after losing to Ryan Garner last year.
“I’ve moved up to 135 lbs at last because the cut to 130 lbs was getting too hard,” the “Sharpshooter” said. “I hung on too long at that weight because I was ranked No. 1 in the world with the WBO and kept having huge fights dangled with Shakur Stevenson.”
35-year-old southpaw Hughes said, “This is the kind of fight you dream of, fighting in the stadium in your home city. And I’ve got what I wanted here, a really dangerous opponent. I didn’t want someone who was just going to be a run-out for me. Archie Sharp has fought at a really high level and he’s going to bring out the best in me.”
“When we told everyone we’d be big things this year, we meant it – It doesn’t get much bigger than a football stadium show at one of the best grounds in the north of England,” GBM Sports promoter Izzy Asif beamed.
“Doncaster’s own Terri Harper in the headline slot will be living the dream as she walks out in her hometown stadium to the roar of a sold-out crowd and we’ve got more title fights to add to the huge main card.
“It’s going to be a huge night for British boxing with an amazing atmosphere, all of it airing live and exclusively worldwide on DAZN.”
The Exclusive Ticket Pre-Sale takes place this Friday for fans who have registered for the pre-sale via the Doncaster Rovers website.
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