Rhiannon Dixon v Terri Harper - Tale of the Tape: Weight, height, reach, trainer & professional boxing records

We analyse the credentials and statistics of Rhiannon Dixon and Terri Harper as the pair get set to collide in a mammoth domestic showdown with the WBO lightweight title on the line.

On Saturday 28th September, Rhiannon Dixon puts her WBO lightweight title on the line against Terri Harper in Sheffield.

Despite being younger than the champion, Harper (10/3) was part of the first wave of high-profile female fighters in this country.

The odds suggest that the Denaby women’s best days are behind her, but she has only ever failed to beat the very best in the sport. But is Dixon (2/9) in that class?

Backers appear confident that she is, but Harper represents a significant step up in quality of opposition. However, the Anthony Crolla trained boxer, has passed each test with flying colours so far.

The big question is who will prevail?

It's time to take a look at the 'Tale of the Tape'...

Rhiannon Dixon v Terri Harper
Tale of the Tape

	Rhiannon Dixon	Terri Harper
Odds:	2/9	10/3
Age:	29	27
Nickname:	N/A	'Belter'
Height:	5ft 6ins	5ft 8.5ins
Reach:	N/A	65ins
Weight:	Lightweight	Lightweight
Trainer:	Anthony Crolla	Andrew 'Stefy' Bull
Record:	10-0 (1 KO)	14-2-2 (6 KOs)
Last Fight:	Won - (UD) v Karen Carabajal (April 2024)	Lost - (RTD) v Sandy Ryan (March 2024)

Rhiannon Dixon
In Profile

After a near-decade of dominance from Katie Taylor, a new generation of fighters are attempting to stake their claim to being the best lightweight in women’s boxing.

Amongst them is Rhiannon Dixon.

The qualified pharmacist spent the early portion of her career balancing work alongside training and fighting, but is now able to focus solely on boxing.

The woman from Warrington has improved rapidly under the tutelage of, former world champion, Anthony Crolla.

In her last three fights, the 29-year-old has picked up belts of increasing value.

Firstly, she halted Vicky Wilkinson to capture the Commonwealth title. Six months later, the southpaw out-boxed Katharina Thandez to claim European honours. The Norwegian’s sole loss prior to the fight had come against Terri Harper.

While Dixon won every round, ‘Belter’ was able to go one better and secured a ninth-round stoppage.

Earlier this year, the Chesire native became a world champion in just her 10th bout, as she overcame Karen Carbajal in convincing fashion.

Dixon is a skilled fighter, but perhaps looks for the perfect shot too often, which results in her not letting her hands go.

That could be problematic against Harper, who will apply plenty of pressure and will be busy.

However, Dixon has risen to the challenge on each occasion so far, and could well do so once more.

A win over the former two-weight world champion will send a strong message out to the rest of the 135lbs weight class.

Strengths:	Weaknesses:
Upper body movement	Low punch output
Use of her lead right hand	Can neglect her left hand
Feints	Falls forward after throwing left hand
Finds angles for punches	Inexperienced

Terri Harper
In Profile

Just under eight years ago, Katie Taylor turned professional and spearheaded the rise in popularity and legitimacy of women’s boxing.

After witnessing the impact the Irishwoman was having on the sport, Andrew ‘Stefy’ Bull got in contact with his former amateur fighter, Terri Harper.

At that stage, the Yorkshire fighter had turned her back on the sweet science and was working in her local chip shop.

The trainer, known for having a way with words, convinced her to return to the gym.

A year after Taylor made her debut, ‘Belter’ followed suit and played a pivotal role in raising the profile of the sport.

The Denaby woman went on to have great success; becoming WBC super-featherweight world champion and a two-weight titlist after grabbing a belt at 154lbs.

However, Harper has only won three of her last six fights.

Ahead of her bout with Dixon, promoter, Eddie Hearn, has suggested this may be the last roll of the dice for the former 130lbs titlist.

Of course, there are mitigating factors for each blemish on her ledger.

Harper lost her super-featherweight title after being stopped by Alycia Baumgardner, but ‘Belter’ had been tight at the weight for some time.

A move up to super-welterweight arose because of opportunity rather than necessity. There, Harper defeated the capable pair of Hannah Rankin and Ivana Habazin before fighting to a draw with, the legendary, Cecilia Braekhus.

Against ‘The First Lady,’ Harper remarked that she felt undersized.

That familiar feeling retuned when she challenged Sandy Ryan for the WBO welterweight strap, earlier this year. Ryan was too big, too sharp and too accurate, forcing Harper to retire after four rounds.

To date, Harper has defeated good boxers, but always fallen just short when matched against the true elite of women’s boxing. 

How good is Dixon? Well that remains to be seen.

Lightweight is likely the correct weight class for Harper, who will once more have the size advantage which was so beneficial to her during the early portion of her career.

The 27-year-old will certainly be the busier of the two, but the champion may prove to be too precise in her punching.

Strengths:	Weaknesses:
Punch variety	Less effective on the inside
Left hook	Moves back in straight lines
Hooks to the body	Stays in range too long
Combination punching	Head falls over the front foot

All odds displayed within this article were correct at the time of writing and are subject to fluctuation.