Terri Harper vs. Natasha Jonas Ends In A Split Draw
Matchroom Boxing returned today (Fri. August 7) with the promotion staging its second week of Fight Camp at Matchroom HQ in Brentwood, Essex.
Headlining the four-bout card was a terrific women’s super featherweight clash with Terri Harper putting her WBC and IBO Super-Featherweight World Titles on the line against compatriot Natasha Jonas.The 23-year-old Harper was the bookies favorite heading into this bout, and after a solid opening round, Jonas found herself on the backfoot after coming off second best when the two women clashed heads early in the second.
Harper remained busy throughout the opening stages of the bout, but Jonas was still landing enough shots to keep Harper honest. The challenger had her best moment in the eighth round when she landed a pair of hooks which rocked the champion.Harper eventually regathered her composure, and at the end of the back and forth contest, the result was ruled a split decision draw. The bout earned plenty of positive feedback from the fans and pundits, and it is hard to see these two not facing off again in the near future.
Earlier in the night British cruiserweight prospect Chris Billiam-Smith did his reputation no harm with a stunning second-round KO of Nathan Thorley to retain his Commenwealth title. Coming into the fight, Billiam-Smith said he was feeling in fine form after having spent two-weeks sparring with former WBC cruiserweight champion Mairis Briedis earlier in the year. The prep work paid off as Billiam-Smith looked a level above his Welsh opponent.
Anthony Folwer dominated his super welterweight clash with Adam Harper, who, despite landing the odd decent punch, never really threatened Folwer, who is now setting his sights on a fight with Ted Cheesman or Sam Eggington.
Full Results:
- Super Featherweight: Terri Harper vs. Natasha Jonas SD10 (96-94 Harper, 96-95 Jonas, 95-95)
- Super-Welterweight: Anthony Fowler def. Adam Harper via RD7 TKO
- Super Featherweight: Hopey Price def. Jonny Phillips via Points (60-54)
- Cruiserweight: Chris Billiam-Smith def. Nathan Thorley via RD2 TKO
