Terri Harper Turns Down Unification Fight With Caroline Dubois
Discussions were ongoing for a women’s unification fight between lightweight champions Caroline Dubois (10-0-1, 5 KOs) and Terri Harper (15-2-2, 6 KOs). It’s not happening, at least in the immediate future. Harper is bypassing the opportunity claiming she wasn’t offered enough money. However, the real reason may be that she doesn’t want any parts of Dubois.
3Kings Boxing has learned that there were plans to stage the fight on the undercard of the March 7 welterweight unification showdown between Natasha Jonas and Lauren Price. Harper went to social media to give her side as to why the fight would not take place.
Dubois is not buying it. During an exclusive interview with UK’s Boxing News, the WBC 135-pound world champion believes that the reigning WBO lightweight belt holder is running scared.
“We sent big numbers, big money. She wants retirement money. Her heart is out the door. I don’t know where she left it – maybe in the ring. She fought Alycia Baumgardner and the fire and intensity is gone. She isn’t the same.
It’s a shame because it could have been a great fight. On this occasion, on this moment, it could have been a really big fight. It could’ve stole the show, but her heart isn’t in it. That’s what my feeling, my gut is saying. We sent big numbers over and she refused them. She turned them down.”
RUNNING FROM A BIG FIGHT?
Dubois was upgraded from Interim to full-time WBC champion in December 2024 when Katie Taylor vacated the belt. In her first title defense, Dubois defended the belt with a three-round technical draw over Jessica Camara on January 11. In her most recent outing, Harper defeated Rhiannon Dixon by unanimous decision to win the WBO 135-pound strap.
In reality, Harper has not been the same since getting stopped in four rounds by Baumgardner in November 2021. Harper has moved up and down multiple divisions. Yes, she is a three-division and won a lightweight world title in her last fight. However, before the win over Dixon, Harper was punished and quit in her corner during a four-round stoppage loss to Sandy Ryan in March 2024.
Within boxing circles, some believe the reigning WBO champion doesn’t have a sturdy chin and tends to wilt whenever she’s in the ring against physical and athletic fighters. Like Baumgardner and Ryan, Dubois is aggressive, physically strong, and can crack with both fists.
Money always matters in professional boxing. Established fighters always try to fight to get paid what the market will bear. They are also fully aware of what risks a potential opponent could present. To some in the boxing community, Harper knows that Dubois is a big threat and she’s using money as a scapegoat.
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