Terri Harper re-injures hand, forced out of world title unification fight

The Denaby fighter was due to defend her WBC and IBO world titles against WBA champion Hyun Mi Choi in Manchester on May 15.

But in the final spar of her training camp she fractured bones in the hand she damaged in her successful title defence against Katharina Thanderz in November.

Harper had surgery on the hand following the severe break, which included the insertion of a plate. That plate has been broken as part of the latest injury and she faces a fresh recovery.

Announcing her withdrawal from the fight on social media, Harper wrote: “Absolutely devastated to announce that in my last spar of camp I have damaged my hand again.

“Heartbroken is not the word. Myself and my team have worked so hard over the last five months to ensure I had the best recovery and had a full training camp with no problems with my hand.

“Thank you to Mike Hayton who at the drop of a hat got me in this morning for scans, which shows I’ve snapped the plate in and re-fractured my hand.

“Looking to be in next week for surgery.

“Thank you to all my team who’s helped with my recovery and prepare me for this fight. Unfortunately we can’t see it out until the end.

“I’m only 24yr old with many big nights ahead. This is just a small setback and we’ll be back stronger than ever.

“Thank you to Eddie Hearn, Matchroom Boxing and Sky Sports for the opportunity and sorry to let you down.

“An even bigger sorry to Hyun Mi Choi and her team. Hopefully this unification can happen before the end of the year. It’s still my dream to unify and be on the road to undisputed.”

Harper’s trainer Stefy Bull said she had offered to fight with one hand.

He wrote: “Heartbroken for Terri. She had worked non-stop since January for this unification opportunity. Even during recovery she still worked hard.

“Believe it or not she still suggested fighting with one hand - that’s the desire she has.”

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