Harper v Jonas
In the main event of DAZN’s August 7 telecast, WBC and IBO world super featherweight champion Terri Harper (10-0-1, 5 KO’s) retained her belts over Natasha Jonas (9-1-1, 7 KO’s) by way of a three way draw. The bout stood as Harper’s third defense of her IBO title and the first of her WBC strap. The fight also stood as Jonas’ first attempt at a world title.
The bout was also a historical affair; it was the first time that two British female fighters would compete for a world title. Fortunately, given the overall action, Jonas, 36, should get another shot at Harper’s belts.
Jonas began the bout very well by taking center ring, establishing her jab and setting the pace. Nothing overly exciting or memorable took place in the first feel-out round. Both women increased their work rate in the second, even though it appeared that Jonas got the better of the exchanges. Although by the end of the period, Jonas picked up a cut high on the forehead and Harper’s nose was bleeding.
The bout shifted in the champions favor during the third after she landed a solid uppercut flush on the jaw which clearly troubled her foe. Later in the same period, Jonas appeared to get buzzed several times but never went down or stopped fighting. By the fifth round, the fight had morphed into a grueling, bloody phone-booth war. The grueling tit-for-tat exchanges remained fairly even until the seventh when the former Olympian seemed to be wilting under the champion’s pace.
TRUE GRIT!
Then, out of nowhere, Jonas seriously wobbled Harper at the very top of the eighth round with a left hook flush on the chin. Terri Harper put her grit on display by weathering the storm and finishing the period strong. The champ remained game but was hit, and buckled, by a handful of hooks in the ninth. By this point, Jonas was clearly winning the inside exchanges.
During the final round, the better volume went to Harper. However, the better power shots were thrown by Jonas. As close as the action was, there is no great crime in labeling this prizefight as a draw. Hopefully, the two fistic females can get their heads together and get a rematch signed quickly!
By: Bakari Simpson
