Fight Camp Week 2- Harper vs Jonas

Matchroom Headquarters is the scene for the second week of Fight Camp. 

The second instalment of Matchroom’s Fight Camp based in Essex will be headlined by WBC World Champion Terri Harper who faces former Olympian Natasha Jonas. 

This is a historic bout for British and World boxing as this is the first all-British women’s World Title bout. This bout comes at the opposite end the boxer’s respective careers; Harper, 23 is very much coming into her prime with this being her first title defence after winning the WBC World Title in February. Whereas, Jonas, 36 will not have too many opportunities after this to claim a World Title.

Harper believes that the difference in age and the time in which this bout has come about will benefit her and that a loss in this bout will effectively end the professional career of Jonas. "What is she going to do when she takes a loss to me?" Said the WBC World Champion.

 "Is that the end of her career? This is her last chance to really prove herself.

"She's come from being an elite amateur, but she's still yet to prove herself at this level and I personally feel the pressure is on her.

"Tasha is past it now. She should be the one in my position as a champion, but she isn't."

Jonas and her camp, however, believe that there is no pressure on the former Olympian. Her coach Joe Gallagher, who has coached the likes of Anthony Crolla, Liam Smith and current WBA Super Middleweight World Champion Callum Smith. He believes that the pressure lies with Harper. 

"You're fighting a 36-year-old who's over the hill. That's what you've all been saying all week, so you'll have to back it up on Friday. Good luck."

 Jonas boasts the better boxing pedigree. She was the first woman to compete in the Olympics in the 2012 London Olympics. Jonas has a decorated amateur career and boasts good boxing foundations. 

This is a very intriguing fight; will the superior amateur experience and boxing skills of Jonas claim the Olympian her maiden World Title or will the youth and better professional record of Harper see her successfully defend her title?

The Rest of the Card: 

Anthony Fowler faces Adam Harper in the main support on the card. Fowler is promising prospect with knockout power and a decorated amateur record. 

Fowler, 29, who is a former 2016 Rio Olympian faces Adam Harper who has been inactive for 23 months whilst he was briefly retired. 

Harper believes that this spell of inactivity has relieved all the pressure on him in this fight. "There's no pressure on me, I'm 1-6 with bookmakers to get knocked out… This is life changing for me, so we are coming to bring it." Said Harper.

The Liverpudlian Fowler does not feel the pressure at all, in fact watching last week’s fight has ‘motivated’ him to put on a performance in week two of Fight Camp. 

Fowler will be looking for a good performance under his new coach Shane McGuigan. Fowler hopes to fine tune his skills under new directive as he works towards a rematch against British Champion Scott Fitzgerald and other big domestic fights such as Ted Cheeseman.

The card also includes, promising and talented youngster Hopey Price. Price was a very decorated and talented amateur who boxing ability places him in good stead in the professional ranks.

Price is under good guidance with Dave Caldwell will look to develop and grow into the professional ranks. Price will have off against Jonny Phillips.

Opening the show will be Cruiserweight Chris Billam Smith vs Nathan Thorley. Billam Smith has been very impressive during the early stages of his professional career.

The man from Bournemouth has impressed with his boxing ability and power and will look to showcase this in his domestic showdown against Thorley.