Terri Harper to defend world title against Natasha Jonas at Matchroom's 'Fight Camp'

The pair will top the bill at Matchroom HQ in Essex on the second weekend of ‘Fight Camp’.

They had been scheduled to meet at the Doncaster Dome in April before the event was cancelled due to the coronavirus outbreak.

It will be the first time two British women have fought for a world title.

Harper (10-0, 5 KOs) was crowned world champion in February when she defeated Eva Wahlstrom on points in Sheffield on the undercard of Kell Brook’s return to the ring.

The 23-year-old, from Denaby, became only the second British woman to win a major professional world title.

Jonas (9-1, 7 KOs), 36, has won three on the bounce after a surprise defeat to Viviane Obenauf in August 2018.

Harper, who trained alongside Jamie and Gavin McDonnell last week, tweeted: “Can’t wait for the big night to show everyone the hard work I’ve put in during lockdown.”

Asked by Sky Sports how she would beat Jonas, Harper said: “Pressure. She can’t handle the pressure.

“I’ve got a good engine and I’m just going to be relentless and keep going and going.”

Coach Stefy Bull said on Twitter: “Super proud of @TerriHarper96 months and months of staying dedicated training every day NOT partying and now been gifted the chance to shine from @EddieHearn going out live on

@SkySportsBoxing as main event all the world will be watching she won’t disappoint.”

Eddie Hearn’s first show will take place on August 1 before Harper and Jonas headline the following Friday, with the behind-closed-doors clash to be shown live on Sky Sports.

Adam Smith, Sky Sports head of boxing development, said: "Terri Harper has already endeared herself to fight fans with her remarkable success story, but Natasha Jonas is a genuine threat in a high-class world title fight.”

Jonas, who won world bronze and European silver as an amateur, told The Telegraph: “It’s a good time [to be fighting]. With us being one of the first back, it’s a great opportunity for us to showcase women’s boxing.”