Sandy Ryan vs Terry Harper: Defending champion enjoys British world title fight

Sandy Ryan shows off her fading black eye as she explains why fellow Brit Terry Harper is exactly the type of challenge she was looking for.

The pair will fight the champion for Ryan’s WBO welterweight title in Sheffield on Saturday, and like many of her peers, is looking for a breakout fight that could make her a pound-for-pound contender.

Five months ago, Ryan came agonizingly close to becoming the unified champion. A controversial draw with WBA and WBC champion Jessica McCaskill in Florida ensured the belt remained with the American.

“I proved a lot in that match,” the 30-year-old says. “I’m a world champion, but I’ve only had a few fights. There’s still a lot for people to see about Sandy Ryan.”

MacAskill is a pioneer in women’s boxing and a former undisputed champion in her class, but while her name carries weight, Doncaster’s Harper and Derby’s Ryan are only about an hour apart I grew up there.

“It’s an all-British clash, it’s a bigger battle,” Ryan says.

Harper, 27, is a two-division world champion with 14 wins from 17 fights and is looking to join Britain’s elite club of fighters to win belts in three modern weight classes.

Ryan hopes a convincing win over Harper will be a breakthrough moment for her.

Ryan said: “There’s a lot of people saying it’s 50-50. I respect Terry, he’s a really good kid, but I’m very confident.”

“I can make a statement here because I don’t think it’s 50-50.

”[This is a] In that fight I would get more recognition and my name and reputation would be built. ”

Since the draw against McCaskill, Ryan has completely overhauled his coaching team and his life. She sparred with two-division absolute champions Katie Taylor and Claressa Shields and moved her training camp to Las Vegas.

“That in itself says a lot,” Ryan says. “Katie doesn’t talk much, so she would appreciate it if you would say that.”

Cameron may have been the undisputed light welterweight champion before fighting Taylor, but defeating the pound-for-pound star in Dublin catapulted the Northampton fighter onto boxing’s main stage. Ta.

Eager to capture his big moments, Ryan didn’t watch much of the famous strip during his eight-week stay in America, instead “locking himself in” to training and inviting Shields to Vegas for sparring.

“I don’t know of any other women who have sparred with either of them,” Ryan said of Taylor and Shields.

“They’ve both achieved a lot. They’re at the top of their sport and I want to get there too,” she added.

“I belong to the top class of girls. Yeah, knowing that I’m a world champion gives me confidence. I’m Sandy Ryan. Now, for anyone to beat me, you must be special.”

Harper won world titles at super featherweight and light middleweight. This fight will be her first welterweight bout.

Ryan has far less experience in the pro ranks, with just eight wins and six wins, but she says her confidence has skyrocketed since fighting MacAskill.

“I think Jess is more of a threat to me than Harper,” she says.

“All things considered, I’m a better fighter. It’s not cockiness, it’s just confidence.

“I respect Terry. She’s a great fighter, but I believe I’m better.”