Harper and Dubois Make Weight for Lightweight World Title Fight
Caroline Dubois versus Terri Harper is one of four world-title fights featuring British boxers scheduled for Easter Sunday at London's Olympia.
Terri Harper expressed her anticipation to face Caroline Dubois in the ring, stating she is "excited" to punch her fellow world champion in the face as both fighters successfully made weight for Sunday’s unified lightweight world title bout in London.
Both athletes appeared in excellent condition as they weighed in one pound below the 9 st 9 lb (61kg) limit at Olympia, the venue for the fight night.
Following the weigh-in, Harper and Dubois confronted each other at center stage, continuing the verbal exchanges that have characterized the lead-up to the fight.
"I just told her I'm excited to punch her in the face," Harper said.
The 29-year-old fighter from Doncaster, who holds the WBO lightweight title, has largely allowed the WBC champion Dubois, aged 25, to lead the verbal exchanges.
Despite this, Harper has shown no signs of intimidation, having shoved Dubois earlier in the week during a media day and engaged in elbow jostling during Thursday’s photo session.
Harper commented,
"The game is over. It's all about tomorrow [Sunday]. It's not about the elbows, it's about the fists."
A three-weight world champion, Harper has previously held titles at featherweight and light-middleweight but has stated she feels most comfortable competing at lightweight.
"I naturally get down to this weight. This morning I woke up on weight, I didn't need to take anything off," she said.
Harper’s professional record includes 16 wins, two losses, and two draws, with notable opponents such as Natasha Jonas, Alycia Baumgardner, Cecilia Brækhus, and Sandy Ryan.
Caroline Dubois holds a record of 12 wins and one draw but has yet to face a high-profile opponent. A victory in this fight could pave the way for unification bouts or prominent matches against fighters like Baumgardner.
"Look at my body and my physique. This year I've grown, I've got bigger, I've got stronger," Dubois said. "A win is the most important, but I believe I win by knockout."
Fans can follow live text and radio commentary from 19:00 BST on Sunday, 5 April via , BBC Radio 5 Live, and the website and app.
World-Titlists Make Weight on Undercard
The undercard for Sunday’s London event features four female world-title fights with British contenders, all of whom successfully made weight.
Londoner Ellie Scotney, 28, has the opportunity to become Britain’s youngest ever undisputed champion—male or female—in the four-belt era when she faces Mexico’s Mayelli Flores for the undisputed super-bantamweight title.
Both fighters weighed in below the 8 st 9 lb limit, with Scotney standing five inches taller than the 4 ft 11 in Flores during the face-off.
Flores promised to bring "war to the ring," citing Mexican boxing legends Julio Cesar Chavez Sr and Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez, while Scotney responded,
"I'm more than ready. All the belts, all the marbles."
Northampton’s Chantelle Cameron weighed in for her WBO light-middleweight world-title challenge against unbeaten Czech fighter Michaela Kotaskova.
This fight will feature three-minute rounds, which are longer than the usual two-minute rounds in women's boxing. A victory could lead to a bout with three-division champion Mikaela Mayer, who was present ringside.
"I've been working hard in the gym, getting ready for the three-minute rounds. I've got the engine," said the 34-year-old Cameron.
Norwich’s Emma Dolan, 27, aims to secure her first world title against IBF super-flyweight champion Irma Garcia.
Dolan, who is unbeaten in eight fights, will face the experienced 44-year-old Mexican, who has competed in 35 professional bouts. Dolan pledged she will,
"go in there and take over."
