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Terri Harper vs Natalie Zimmermann: Who has the edge heading into their fight?
Terri Harper is back and will look to defend her WBO lightweight world championship against undefeated German boxer Natalie Zimmermann at Eco-Power Stadium in Doncaster, United Kingdom, and live on DAZN, on Friday night.
Harper (15-2-2, 6 KOs) won the WBO title with a unanimous decision over Rhiannon Dixon in September.
That same month, Zimmermann (13-0, 3 KOs) produced a points win over Katerina Dvorakova.
With the stakes high, DAZN News analyzes who has the edge across three key categories heading into this championship bout.
Boxing styles
Terri Harper keeps a disciplined guard and tends to show equally educated ring generalship in maintaining her real estate while asserting the right hand, which was key in her title-snatching victory over Rhiannon Dixon last fall.
That style will be up against a more pressuring Natalie Zimmermann who has a concerning penchant for lowering her guard to chest level while changing levels to work her way forward.
The lapse in guard is something Harper can take advantage of.
Edge: Harper
Power
Both Harper and Zimmermann have snap and pop to their punch.
When Harper, though, starts piecing together combinations off the right hand, her power attack really tends to roar.
That is something Zimmermann will have to deal with and show resistance to if she will have a legit chance of defeating the champion and savvy veteran.
Edge: Harper
Mental Warfare
Yes, Zimmermann enters this bout as the impressive undefeated challenger, trying to unseat Harper from her throne.
But the main reason the mental edge must sway in Harper’s favor is her experience.
Simply put: Harper has clashed with some of boxing’s best whether it be Sandy Ryan, Cecilia Braekhus, Ivana Habazin, Hannah Rankin, or Alycia Baumgardner.
Zimmermann has never faced such quality opponents and will have all her skills — not to mention, mental mettle — tested.
Edge: Harper
Who has the edge in Harper vs Zimmermann?
Harper gets the clean sweep by our count of 3-0 and it is hard to think otherwise unless Zimmermann forces the edge in her favor Friday.
Harper vowed during the press conference that “it’s going to be a statement win.”
This pendulum sways in her favor to deliver just that. Let’s see if Zimmermann can disrupt this in what would be an upset.
