Which 154lbs Champion Will Cecilia Braekhus Face Next? Terri Harper Or Natasha Jonas?
Whilst most boxing fans would prefer to see Terri Harper and Natasha Jonas in a ring together, they are taking part in a completely different fight which saw them target the same champion in 2022 and now sees the same opponent being lined up by both camps.
NoSmokeBoxing understands that WBA champion Harper (13-1-1, 6 KOs) will return to the ring on April 15 on a Matchroom/DAZN card at the Utilita Arena, Sheffield with the preferred opponent being former undisputed titleist Cecilia Braekhus (37-2, 9 KOs).
Harper called for the bout on social media last December “With no undisputed happening next the biggest fight to make in the 154 division is myself and @1LadyCecilia.” Braekhus shared several tweets to that effect and Harper confirmed yesterday that they were hoping to announce a fight soon leading fans to believe a deal was struck.
Ben Shalom’s BOXXER, the promoter of Jonas (13-2-1, 8 KOs), announced it would be heading to the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool for a show on March 25 with no fights announced yet. NoSmokeBoxing understands that Jonas is expected to feature on that bill.
Today morning, Sky Sports posted an interview with Brakehus where she spoke highly of Jonas and revealed she would be interested in fighting for the three belts Jonas has at 154.
Braekhus did make it clear though that she would be up for a fight with either Jonas or Harper as her goal is a world title. “Let’s just cut straight to it. I want a title fight. Both Natasha and Terri Harper are at the top of my list.” Braekhus told Sky Sports.
Last summer, Jonas was closing in on a deal to unify with former champion Hannah Rankin before NoSmokeBoxing broke that their unification fight was in jeopardy due to a competing six-digit offer from Harper/Matchroom. Rankin did end up facing Harper and left Jonas searching for another opponent.
Now it seems that we’ve ended up in the same situation with the roles reversed. Whilst Harper looks to be further along in making a fight with Braekhus, Jonas/BOXXER also seems interested in the clash and it could come down to a ‘highest bidder’ scenario.
The fight to make at 154 is Terri Harper-Natasha Jonas. Harper’s promoter Eddie Hearn has made two offers to Jonas for the bout but the Liverpudlian and her team seem less than keen to fight for undisputed.
Instead of fighting each other in the clash that fans really want to see, they’ll be competing for the same opponent.
Also Read; Callum Smith To Push For Beterbiev Mandatory Position, Confident He Can Upset Unified Champion
