Doncaster, England – [May 21, 2025] – The first face-offs of fight week for GBM: Harper vs Zimmerman took place at today’s pre-fight press conference in Doncaster Rovers’ EcoPower Stadium, scene of the event taking place this Friday night and airing live worldwide on the DAZN network.
Hometown heroine Terri Harper defends her WBO World Lightweight Championship against undefeated German contender Natalie Zimmerman, while chief support Maxi Hughes and Archie Sharp will contest the WBC Silver Lightweight Championship, a valuable strap which places the winner immediately into the WBC World Championship contender conversation.
Chaired by GBM CEO Izzy Asif alongside Adam Smith, GBM’s Head of Broadcast, the press conference saw Harper talk about her pride at headlining in her home city and her intention to target bitter rival Caroline Dubois if successful on Friday night.
Former world champion Hughes talked of his burning desire to win a major world title in the near future and said the sacrifices of a hard training camp had been heavy on his two children, a price he said the talented Kent man Sharp “has to pay”.
The card also features near-lifelong rivals Tysie Gallagher and Ebonie Jones competing in a triple-title bout for Gallagher’s British, Commonwealth and WBO International Super-Bantamweight Championships.
It will be the third time the two meet in the ring but their first meeting as professionals. Their first contest was as 12 year old amateurs – Jones won both their amateur meetings.
QUOTES:
Terri Harper
“I just want to start by thanking everyone involved in making this dream come true for me headlining in my home town stadium. It’s such an amazing opportunity and I’m really excited for it, I can’t wait.
“I’ve got the fire in me, the self-belief, the love for boxing. I’m hungry again and if I don’t get a statement win here on Friday night I’ll be disappointed.”
“I don’t know what it is with Caroline Dubois or what her problem is but I honestly can’t wait to get paid to get in that girl’s face. First I’ve got to get past Natalie Zimmerman here on Friday night, then if she wants it next she can have it.”
Natalie Zimmerman
“I’ve brought in girls from all over Europe to give me hard sparring and try to replicate Terri’s style. I have really put my all into this training camp. I am at my best and I will give my best. Becoming world champion on Friday night means everything to me.”
Maxi Hughes
“The fire that I’ve got in me right now, you wouldn’t believe it. I’ve held the IBO world title and my goal has always been to get one of the big four. I’ve been very close to that goal before and that’s why I need to win that WBC Silver title here on Friday night – it puts me right in the mix for a world title shot.
“Archie Sharp is a good kid but there’s been a lot of sacrifice, a lot of hours in the gym and away from home. I saw my children crying night after night when I had to leave them and go to the gym for hours again. Archie Sharp is going to have to pay for that on Friday.”
Archie Sharp
“I’m very confident in what I can do. That’s why I am coming to his home town to do it. It’s a big opportunity for me. I feel great at this weight and my preparation has been great. All I can say is I am ready.”
Tysie Gallagher:
“I want to become world champion and Ebonie Jones is standing in the way of that. You’re going to see a great clinical performance and me winning in ten rounds or less.”
“Those amateur fights mean nothing. I was 12 and 17 years old when they happened. Now I am an established professional holding multiple belts. I live and train like a true professional champion and I am getting better with every fight.”
Ebonie Jones
“Winning these titles will open up a lot of doors for me, so I’ve been training very, very hard. Holding these belts is a pathway to bigger things. I’m standing in the way of Tysie getting those big opportunities and I’m going to seize them for myself. No predictions, except I am confident my hand gets raised.”
Izzy Asif (Promoter)
Terri Harper defending in her home city in its famous stadium. Maxi Hughes, another hometown hero, taking on the very dangerous Archie Sharp, with both of them looking for that world title opportunity. Tysie Gallagher and Ebonie Jones, lifelong rivals meeting again with three belts on the line. And that’s only the top three fights on the card!
This main card is stacked with 50-50 fights and even just as a boxing fan I’m excited for Friday night. It’s going to be an amazing event for the thousands in attendance and the masses watching live worldwide on DAZN.
