Terri Harper set for dream Doncaster homecoming with historic world title defence

The Denaby Main fighter will defend her freshly won WBC super featherweight title along with her IBO crown against former Olympian Natasha Jonas on April 24, at the venue where she began her professional career.

It will be the first time two female British fighters have contested a world title - plus the first time any British woman has headlined a major televised boxing bill.

“To go back to The Dome , where I started my professional career, it’s going to be a special night,” Harper told the Free Press.

“I’m excited.

“There’s a lot of top boxing fans in Doncaster so it’s nice to bring Matchroom and Sky Sports back to the town.

“It’s a good domestic fight. I think it’s the fight I need to push my profile a bit more.

“It’s good for us both.

“This is the first time two British females are fighting for a world title so it’s another bit of history being made.

“I think Katie Taylor [Ireland’s undisputed world lightweight champion] is the only other female to have headlined on Sky Sports. To be headlining is very special.”

The 24-year-old - who this week took part in recording for BBC’s Question of Sport - claimed the WBC title with a stunning win over Eva Wahlstrom in Sheffield last month.

And she has no intention of letting her crown slip so quickly.

Jonas, who competed at London 2012 and won a bronze medal at the World Amateur Championships, has struggled to fulfil early promise in the pro ranks.

She was beaten by Viviane Obenauf, who Harper stopped in November.

Harper will head into her clash with Jonas as heavy favourite, but is refusing to take the 35-year-old lightly.

“I never underestimate any opponents,” she said. “I’m going to treat this like I’ve not won the belt yet, as though I’m still chasing it.

“It’s my first defence and I don’t want to be losing it ever, never mind straight away. It’s going to be 110 per cent from me in this camp to make the best impression I can in this defence.

“Natasha Jonas, it’s going to be a good domestic fight.”

“We’ve fought some of the same girls. She had the loss against Viviene Obenauf, but a loss doesn’t define your career.

“She’s going to be the best version of Natasha Jonas when she comes on the 24th of April.”

It will be the first televised boxing card at The Dome for more than eight years.