On Friday, May 23rd, a world championship bout will occur in the Women's Lightweight division featuring three-division world champion and current holder of the WBO crown against unbeaten former IBF Women's World Jr. Welterweight champion Natalie Zimmermann at Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster, England. A world title bout that can be seen globally on digital subscription sports streaming network DAZN.
This will be the first defense of the WBO World Lightweight championship for Harper that she won in September of last year with a ten round unanimous decision over Rhiannon Dixon in Sheffield, England. Harper, who has won world titles from the 130lb. Jr. Lightweight division to the 154lb. Jr. Middleweight division has rightfully earned her place as one of the biggest stars in Women's Boxing. Like many female fighters in the sport, Harper has moved up and down the weight scale depending on the fight and opportunity. While that is an indication of a sport that is still very much in its growing stages for women competing in it both in terms of available weight classes and significantly more opportunities than had been the case in decades past, it will be interesting to see whether along with growth of the sport overall if fighters like Harper will choose to prioritize a division where they feel most comfortable competing in, much like their male counterparts or if the emphasis will seemingly continue to remain on what opportunities might be available on a fight by fight basis. With seemingly more women competing than ever before in the sport and more divisions being available to compete in, there may come a point where the potential to move up or down in weight may not be as lucrative or enticing, simply because with more competition in each respective division, there will be more options for fighters to remain in their division of choice if they choose to do so.
Although the sport may not quite be at that point at present time, Harper has been one of those fighters who has shown that she can compete effectively in multiple divisions and it will be interesting to see where she eventually lands. For the moment, the task at hand for the champion, who will enter this bout with a record of 15-2-2, with 6 Knockouts, will be defending her World Lightweight championship.
The challenger Natalie Zimmermann will enter this bout, attempting to become a two-division world champion, unbeaten with a record of 13-0, with 3 Knockouts. In her last bout in September of last year, Zimmermann scored a ten round decision over Katerina Dvorakova in Spain.
What this fight appears to be is an encounter between two boxers who are experienced both in going the distance and outworking their opponents to win decision victories. While the champion has three more knockouts in her career compared to Zimmermann, neither are known for having punching power. Given the Boxing ability each has, it will be interesting to see if one takes a more aggressive approach than would be the norm in an attempt to get an advantage early.
Although bouts in Women's Boxing have sporadically begun using three minute rounds, the same as in Men's bouts, the majority of bouts for women are still held with two minute rounds. This normally means fights are fought at a quick pace and given the similarities between these two boxers, who both know how to win rounds and compile points in the process, it would not surprise this observer if both fighters are able to find success to see this potentially end in a close decision. Whomever comes out on top here, the question that will likely follow coming out of this fight is whether the winner will look towards competing in a different weight class next depending on what opportunities might be available, or whether or not possible unification of the Lightweight division could be on the table.
“And That's The Boxing Truth."
Harper vs. Zimmermann takes place on Friday, May 23rd at Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster, England. The fight can be seen globally on digital subscription sports streaming network DAZN beginning at 1PM ET/10AM PT. (*U.S. Times Only.*)
(*Card and Start Times Subject To Change.*)
For more information about DAZN including schedules, list of compatible streaming devices, platforms, Smart TVs, availability around the world, local start times in your area, and to subscribe please visit: www.DAZN.com.
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