TERRI HARPER became the first British woman to win a major world title by dethroning WBC super-featherweight queen Eva Wahlstrom in just her TENTH pro fight.
Olympic icon Nicola Adams was handed her WBO crown without having to fight for the belt and women’s boxing pioneer Jane Couch won titles in fringe and long-defunkt organisations.
Terri Harper beat Eva Wahlstrom to claim the WBC super-featherweight titleCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Harper beat the experienced Fin in just her tenth pro fightCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
So 23-year-old Harper achieved an incredible milestone when she snatched away the green and gold belt, from the four-year champion, with a dominant points win of 98-91 and 99-90 twice.
The Yorkshire hero, who personally sold over 700 tickets and dropped the visitor in the seventh, said: “I’m speechless, thank you to everyone who has come out to support me.
“I had a lot of pressure on me, I’m 23-years-old and I’ve just done this, I’ve made history.
“I got the win, it was a hard fight against a tough girl. I went back to my boxing.”
Harper’s long arms gave her an obvious early advantage, with a selection of jabs and a one-two appearing to earn her the opening round.
Finnish veteran Wahlstrom, 39, wanted to bang and trade close-up on the inside but former chip shop worker Harper was battering her from range.
A left hook seemed to clip Harper at the start of the third but she replied emphatically with long straight shots right down Wahlstrom’s pipe.
The four-year champion was looking increasingly lost as cries of “Yorkshire, Yorkshire” echoed around the Sheffield Arena.
Harper had Wahlstrom down in the seventh much to the annoyance of her 39-year-old opponentCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Harper dominated the middle rounds but they remained cagey until Wahlstrom was dropped in the seventh by a straight right hand, that only seemed to graze her thick ponytail but scored a 10-8 round regardless.
By the eighth, Wahlstrom was bleeding from the right side of her scalp and swallowing malicious combinations from the local favourite.
And the champion was saved by the bell at the end of the session when a three-punch combination ended with a left hook that robbed Wahlstrom of her senses, just as the timekeeper stopped the action.
Harper could have run and hid for the final two-minute round but she boldly chased another knockdown and finished the fight trading and fell into a hug with the vanquished former champion.
The English starlet now fancies a crack at Ireland’s two-weight pro sensation and childhood hero Katie Taylor.
Harper said: “I can’t imagine punching my idol in the face but, maybe one day, it could happen.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if someone said ‘you’re fighting Katie Taylor’ because of how crazy my life has been in the past two years since I turned pro. It would be an honour to share a ring with Katie.”
The heavily tattooed champ, who has all of her inkings done by her artist dad, has now etched her own name into the history books, permanently.
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Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
