The pair were originally slated to square off for Harper’s WBA crown on the historic Katie Taylor vs. Chantelle Cameron show at the 3Arena in Dublin earlier this year, but Braekhus was forced to withdraw from their fight on the morning of the event due to an illness.

Former WBC and IBO Super-Featherweight World Champion Harper (13-1-1 6 KOs) won the WBA 154lbs World Title by widely outpointing Scotland’s Hannah Rankin at the Motorpoint Arena Nottingham in September last year – her first fight up at Super-Welterweight.

Norway’s Braekhus (37-2, 9 KOs), a former undisputed ruler at 147lbs, is attempting to become a two-division World Champion. ‘First Lady’, a modern pioneer of women’s boxing, held the WBC and WBA World Titles at Welterweight from 2009 to 2020, also picking up the WBO Title in 2010 and the IBF Title in 2014.

Braekhus lost the titles by majority decision to Jessica McCaskill in August 2020 in Downtown Tulsa, USA and lost again to ‘CasKILLA’ in a rematch at the American Airlines Center in Dallas in March 2021. McCaskill is the only fighter to have beaten Braekhus as a professional.

“The fight went down really well with the fans the first time and it would’ve been a shame for it to have never happened,” said Harper. “I’m excited and grateful to everyone for making it happen again and it’ll be even more special this time with the opportunity of unifying the division.

“When the fight fell through last time I sulked for the weekend but thanks to Matchroom and Eddie I was back in the gym the following Monday ready for another fight week. Looking back this experience has made me a stronger fighter with even more experience now gained.

“Cecilia is an icon of the sport and has already done everything I want to achieve. That’s why me and my team were so keen to pursue this fight. I see this fight as a passing of the baton and another stepping stone towards my ultimate goal of becoming undisputed at the weight.

“It feels good to be back in front of my home crowd. From the beginning of my career I’ve had a great following and come fight night I’ll have thousands in there showing their support. Last time out in Sheffield didn’t go the way I planned but I’m excited to back to winning ways on home soil.

“I won my first World Title at Sheffield Arena and then lost them there, now it’s time to become unified World Champion at that same arena. It’s a huge night of boxing with a massive domestic fight headlining, I’m very lucky to be chief support and I will make sure I put on a good show. Not to jinx it but every time I’ve fought on Leigh’s undercard we’ve both had the desired outcome.”

“I’m delighted to announce the chief support bout for what will a monster night of World Title action on Saturday October 7,” said Matchroom Sport Chairman Eddie Hearn. “Two-weight World Champion Terri Harper gets the biggest fight of her life as she makes the first defence of her WBA Super-Welterweight World Title against former pound-for-pound No.1 and undisputed Welterweight ruler Cecilia Braekus, with the vacant WBO crown now also on the line.

“We were all gutted for Terri after Cecilia was forced to withdraw from their original fight on the historic Katie Taylor vs. Chantelle Cameron card in Dublin earlier this year due to illness, but now ‘Belter’ will be backed by thousands of her own supporters as she goes for the biggest win of her career. Roll on October 7 live worldwide on DAZN!”

Tickets for Wood vs. Warrington are priced £40, £60, £80, £100, £150, £200, £300 and £400 (VIP).

Matchroom Fight Pass members will be able to purchase tickets from 10am on Thursday August 3. Priority ticket info will be emailed directly to eligible members ahead of the on-sale time.

General Sale tickets can be purchased via Stage Front and Utilita Arena Sheffield (utilitaarenasheffield.co.uk) from 10am on Friday August 4.

With thanks to Matchroom Boxing

The sponsorship deal will also see TIDL Sports Recovery join up with Irish legend Taylor (22-0, 6 KOs) as she looks to create further history this weekend, in what will be her first professional fight in her homeland, by becoming an undisputed World Champion in two weight categories – Lightweight and Super-Lightweight.

TIDL Sports offers the standard in sports recovery and performance products, including cryotherapy sprays and creams. It’s time to move on to products that deliver fast and effective relief in new and better ways. TIDL products consist of new formulations that address pain and soreness directly in easy to use forms that can go with you anywhere.

Eddie Hearn, Matchroom Sport Chairman, said: “I’ve been training a lot recently, and I’m starting to realise how important recovery is. TIDL are leading the way with their performance products – and it’s great to also have their support this week for Katie’s big homecoming.”

Conor McGregor said: “I’ve been on team Taylor since day one and I’m so proud to help make a fight in Dublin happen. Partnering Katie Taylor with my favourite sports recovery product, TIDL, is perfect and we know she’s bringing more belts home to Ireland. This weekend is going to be something special, and I’ll be Katie’s loudest fan.”

Taylor vs. Cameron tops a blockbuster night of boxing in Dublin, Terri Harper (13-1-1, 6 KOs) defends her WBA Super-Welterweight World Title against former world pound-for-pound No.1 Cecilia Braekhus (37-2, 9 KOs), Naas Lightweight sensation Gary Cully (16-0, 10 KOs) takes on Mexico’s Jose Felix (39-6-1, 30 KOs) over ten rounds, Dennis Hogan (31-4-1, 7 KOs) defends his IBO Super-Welterweight World Title against James Metcalf (24-2, 15 KOs) as he fights in his native Ireland for the first time as a professional, Dublin Heavyweight Thomas Carty (5-0, 4 KOs) meets Glasgow’s Jay McFarlane (14-7, 5 KOs) for the BUI Celtic Title, Belfast’s Caoimhin Agyarko (12-0, 7 KOs) returns from injury against Kent’s Grant Dennis (18-4, 3 KOs) in a ten-round Middleweight contest, undefeated Limerick Welterweight Paddy Donovan (10-0, 7 KOs) meets Sheffield’s Sam O’maison (17-4-1, 7 KOs) and Eltham Flyweight prospect Maisey Rose Courtney (2-0) takes on Waterford’s Kate Radomska (3-1) over 6 rounds.

With thanks to Matchroom Boxing

Eltham Flyweight prospect and former amateur standout Maiseyrose Courtney has signed a multi-fight promotional deal with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing.

The 22-year-old South Londoner made a winning start to her professional career by comfortably outpointing Hungary’s Judit Hackbold over four rounds on the undercard of Katie Taylor’s Undisputed Lightweight World Title defence against Karen Elizabeth Carabajal at the OVO Arena in Wembley last October.

Courtney, who is the first female boxer to train out of the Matchroom Boxing Elite Gym in Essex, started boxing at just eight-years-old and went on to represent the famous Repton Boxing Club, winning six National Titles and fighting her way into the Team England set-up.

Trained by Tony Sims and Kevin Mitchell, Courtney joins a thriving Matchroom stable boasting some of the very best female fighters on the planet including Ireland’s Undisputed Queen Taylor, Undisputed Super-Lightweight ruler Chantelle Cameron and Unified Super-Featherweight Champion Alycia Baumgardner.

“It’s a dream come true to have signed a deal with Matchroom Boxing,” said Courtney. “From walking into the Matchroom Elite Gym a year ago and becoming Tony Sims’ and Kevin Mitchell’s first female fighter, to making my debut on Katie Taylor’s undercard and now this, it’s been an incredible few months.

“Now it’s time to repay the faith that Eddie, Tony and Kevin have shown in me. In 2023 I’m going to show the world why I believe I’m one of the most exciting female fighters around.

“I’ve been boxing my whole life, mixed it with some of the best boxers across the country and now finally I’ve got the right team in place to help build me into the World Champion I know I will become.”

“I’m delighted to welcome 1-0 Eltham Flyweight talent Maiseyrose Courtney to the Matchroom Boxing team,” said Matchroom Sport Chairman Eddie Hearn. “Maiseyrose has lived and breathed boxing since she was a child and she has huge ambitions in the sport. Her achievements in the amateurs speak for themselves and I believe she will enjoy even more success in the professional ranks under the guidance of Tony Sims and Kevin Mitchell. I was really impressed with her debut performance on such a big stage right ahead of Irish legend Katie Taylor’s last defence of her Undisputed World Title and she looks like she’s made for the big stage. I look forward to guiding her throughout her career.”

You can follow Courtney’s journey on Instagram: _maiseyrose and Twitter: @Maiseyrose1

Terri Harper will face former World Champion Heather Hardy for the vacant WBA Intercontinental Lightweight Title on the undercard of Leigh Wood’s WBA Featherweight World Title defence against Michael Conlan at the Motorpoint Arena Nottingham on Saturday March 12, live worldwide on DAZN (excluding New Zealand and Australia).

Former WBC and IBO Super-Featherweight World Champion Harper (11-1-1, 6 KOs) returns to the ring for her first fight following the dramatic end of her title reign against the USA’s Alycia Baumgardner at the Utilita Arena Sheffield last November.

March 12 marks the first fight at Lightweight for Denaby Main’s Harper since 2019, and the 25-year-old has dreams of becoming a two-division World Champion and a potential showdown with Irish legend Katie Taylor who currently holds all of the belts at 135lbs.

Brooklyn’s Hardy (22-2, 4 KOs) previously held the WBO Featherweight World Title, losing the belt to seven-division champ Amanda Serrano (42-1-1, 30 KOs) in September 2019. ‘The Heat’ last fought in May 2021 when she was outpointed by Jessica Camara over eight rounds.

“I’m really excited for this fight,” said Harper. “Heather Hardy is a real icon in female boxing, when I first turned professional she was World Champion and I loved watching her fights. She’s super tough and always gives 100% in the ring. I used to ask Eddie if I could fight in the States, it’s my dream to fight there and when I was champion I’d have loved to have defended my title against her. She is a big name with a big following and I’m grateful for the opportunity to share a ring with her. I wish her all best in training camp and look forward to fight week.”

“I’ve been in the game a long time, and in last year or so I realised I was just going through the motions,” said Hardy. “I wasn’t in love anymore, I wasn’t obsessed. I got caught up in the business of the sport and it made me lose my heart. I’m genuinely grateful for this opportunity! Not everyone gets a second chance, especially at my age. I get to be on this stage, on this platform, with one more chance to show myself and the world what I can do.”

Tickets for Wood vs. Conlan are priced £40, £60, £80, £100, £150 and £300 (VIP).

Matchroom Fight Pass members will be able to purchase tickets from midday on Wednesday January 19. Priority ticket info will be emailed directly to eligible members.

General Sale tickets can be purchased via StubHub (www.stubhub.co.uk) from midday on Thursday January 20.

With thanks to Matchroom Boxing

Matchroom Boxing are proud to announce that they will be donating 200 tickets for Josh Warrington’s huge rematch with Mauricio Lara at Emerald Headingley Stadium in Leeds on Saturday September 4 to the NHS via Blue Light Tickets.

Blue Light Tickets provides the blue light community with the chance to get free tickets from venues, sports teams, attractions, festivals and concerts to say thank you for their tireless dedication during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Blue Light Tickets is a completely free service for NHS employees and those working within the emergency services; allowing them to easily enter into ballots for tickets to events across the UK.

To enter Blue Light Ticket’s live ballot for Mauricio Lara vs. Josh Warrington 2 tickets please click HERE.

‘The Leeds Warrior’ (30-1, 7 KOs) was floored and ruthlessly finished by Mexico’s Lara (22-2, 15 KOs) in a sensational knockout loss at The SSE Arena, Wembley in February that put a massive dent in the former IBF Featherweight World Champion’s unification plans.

The upset-of-the-year contender sent shockwaves through the 126lbs division and now Warrington will look to exact revenge in front of a capacity crowd at the home of the Leeds Rhinos in the biggest fight of his career.

Also on the card, Irish star Katie Taylor (18-0, 6 KOs) puts her WBC, WBA, IBF, WBO and Ring Magazine Lightweight crowns on the line against IBF Mandatory Challenger Jennifer Han (18-3-1, 1 KOs) and Mexico’s Jovanni Straffon (24-3-1, 17 KOs) makes the maiden defence of his IBO Lightweight World Title against the in-form Maxi Hughes (23-5-2, 5 KOs), with more fights to be announced soon.

Matchroom Sport Chairman Eddie Hearn said: “I’m delighted to offer 200 tickets to the fantastic Blue Light Tickets scheme for our huge Mauricio Lara vs. Josh Warrington 2 and Katie Taylor vs. Jennifer Han event taking place at Emerald Headingley Stadium on Saturday September 4.

“NHS workers, emergency services and the wider blue light community have been absolutely incredible during the Covid-19 pandemic, and you are the pride of our country. We can’t thank you enough for all of your support throughout these unprecedented times.”

Courtesy of Matchroom

This brand new on-air talent team will bring fight fans all of the ringside action, kicking off with an exhilarating second instalment of Fight Camp. Taking place at the stunning Matchroom HQ in Brentwood, Essex across three weekends – July 31, August 7 and August 14 – this festival of fights kicks off an unrivalled schedule for boxing fans and cements DAZN as THE global home of boxing.

In a huge coup for DAZN and Matchroom, British broadcasting legend Mike Costello will take the reins as the lead commentator, leaving his role as the BBC’s Boxing and Athletics correspondent after 15 years. Having covered seven Olympics and countless World Title fights during his glittering career at the BBC, Costello has established himself as one of the most popular commentators in sport today.

The UK’s most talked about TV and radio broadcaster Maya Jama brings a fresh perspective to the team. Maya is a hugely influential personality and has represented a variety of flagship shows for Channel 4, ITV and the BBC across TV and radio. Most recently, she co-presented the BBC show Save Our Summer and Year-Late Euros with former England striker Peter Crouch. And she has also hosted numerous award shows such as the MOBOs, BRITS and 2020 BAFTA red carpet.

Former WBC Cruiserweight World Champion Tony Bellew is one of the most well-known fight figures in boxing following his retirement from the sport in 2018. The former PPV star lit up stadiums and arenas across the world during a memorable career and has since gone on to carve out a career as a media personality as well as a leading pundit in the sport.

Laura Woods joins the team as the 2021 SJA Sports Presenter of the Year and one of the leading broadcasters in the sports industry. She is a regular weekly broadcaster on national radio and TV, hosting talkSPORT Radio’s Breakfast Show, one of the most listened to sports breakfast radio shows in the country.

Former WBO Middleweight World Champion Andy Lee remains one of the most prominent figures in boxing and holds a brilliant insight into coaching due to his involvement with Tyson Fury and Joseph Parker. The Irish fight legend possesses one of the sharpest minds in the sport and has quickly established himself as a fan favourite after stints with BBC Radio 5 Live and many more.

Former IBF Middleweight World Champion Darren Barker and expert analyst Chris Lloyd have built an excellent relationship since they started working with each other across the Matchroom fight week build up shows back in September 2018. Fight fans will be delighted that the dynamic duo will continue to bring all of the big fight week build up and much more.

To become a subscriber, download the DAZN app on any internet-connected device, including living room devices such as smart TVs, streaming sticks and game consoles as well as smartphones, tablets, laptops, and PCs. A special introductory offer of £1.99/€1.99 per month is currently available to UK and Ireland fans – for more information, visit www.DAZN.com

DAZN Group EVP Joseph Markowski commented: “This stellar line-up of broadcasters underlines our commitment to bringing in a new era of global boxing, providing fans with the very best experience, as we roll out fights and wider programming on a scale never seen before. Each presenter will bring their own unique perspective and style to our coverage, as we take a fresh approach to this fast-growing sport, and will engage existing and new fans alike.”

Matchroom Boxing Chairman Eddie Hearn said: “I couldn’t be prouder of this team of talent that we have assembled for our ground-breaking new project. The launch of Matchroom Media has enabled us to form a cradle to grave mindset across inception to completion of our shows so we can deliver the live event experience to the viewer in the narrative and style in which we have built it.

“It’s a real mixture of industry legends and fresh new talent that will give us the credibility and the energy to drive this new era forward. Mike Costello has long been the fan favourite for live boxing commentary, and we are honoured to welcome him to the team. Maya Jama is now one of the leading broadcasters and personalities in British television, and brings a great new perspective to the audience to the audience, as a boxing fan and well-known sports presenter. We can’t wait to get started with Fight Camp next month!”

Mike Costello said: “I’ve had such a great time at the BBC for so long that I’ve always said it would take something special to persuade me to leave that role and I get the impression this is that something special.

“I love the energy, ambition and passion around this new venture with DAZN and Matchroom. From black and white television, Boxing was one of the most popular sports where televised sports were growing. We then moved into the PPV and satellite era. Over the decades boxing has tended to move with the times in the media landscape and I think this is the next step of that journey.

“The clearest challenge is that on radio the task is to paint the pictures, on television the task is to add to what the viewers can already see. It’s a very different style of commentary but I have to bring all my experience from ringside on radio into television. This to me this is one of the attractions of the new role is taking on a new challenge at this stage of my career.

“This is a great chance for the big fights to happen more regularly and I’m looking forward to being the voice at ringside for many big nights to come.”

Maya Jama said: “I am thrilled to be joining DAZN and Matchroom. I’ve always loved boxing and this is a whole new adventure for me which I can’t wait to begin. I’m hoping to bring a new energy, flavour and vibe to one of my favourite sports and couldn’t be more excited to be working alongside such a fantastic and world class team.”

Courtesy of Matchroom

The 27-year-old Derby boxer, who claimed gold at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games and silver at the 2014 World Championships, had been one of Team GB’s leading medal hopes for the rescheduled Tokyo Games before deciding to turn professional with STN Sports in March.

Following a glittering amateur career, Ryan will start life in the pro ranks campaigning at Super-Lightweight with trainer Clifton Mitchell, and the Midlands talent is ready to target World Titles with an ultimate ambition of fighting at the home of her beloved Derby County Football Club.

“I’m really happy to have signed with Matchroom,” said Ryan. “I’m looking forward to showing the world everything I can do. We will move at a pace to achieve my goals of becoming a multi-weight World Champion. I dream of boxing at Derby County’s ground Pride Park one day. Shout out to my manager Paul Ready and STN Sports – I’m working with the best team in the game.”

“I’m excited to welcome Sandy to the team,” said Eddie Hearn. “I’ve watched her develop on the GB team and everyone has always felt she would become a major force in the pro game and there couldn’t be a better time to enter the scene. Women’s boxing is on an all time high and there are some huge domestic and international fights out there for Sandy over the next few years.”

“I’m very excited to get this deal over the line for Sandy,” said Director of STN Sports Paul Ready. “Thanks to Frank Smith & Matchroom for the smooth negotiation process. Sandy already has a huge fan-base in Derby, this will spread nationwide. I’m confident she will become a multi-weight Undisputed World Champion.”

You can follow Ryan’s journey on Twitter: @sandyryan93 and Instagram: sandyryan93

Courtesy of Matchroom

The former amateur standout from Coalville in Leicestershire will become the first woman from the traveller community to make the move from amateur to professional boxing when she clashes with Borislava Goranova on her highly-anticipated pro debut.

Hopkins represented England for a number of years and won numerous accolades such as the Youth National Championship and a Tri Nations Silver medal in 2017, and is now delighted to be making her pro debut on such a big stage.

“I’m really excited to make my professional debut,” said Hopkins. “It’s been a long time coming with delays due to COVID, but it’s been worth the wait as I now get to make my debut on a Matchroom show and you can’t really get any better than that, so a huge thanks to Matchroom and MTK Global for allowing it to happen.

“The last year has been so hard to keep focused, especially when I’ve had four or five fight dates that all got cancelled due to COVID, so now I can’t wait to get in the ring and get started.

“When I first started boxing, women’s boxing wasn’t really a thing. There weren’t any girls in the gym and now nearly every card has a women’s bout on. The women’s fights are usually more exciting than the men’s fights, and I’m thrilled to be a part of it.

“It’s a very proud achievement to be the first woman from the travelling community to turn professional. When you compare it to the amateurs, there isn’t a lot of traveller boys that turn over, so to be the first ever girl to do it is a massive thing for our community, and I hope more travelling girls can follow in my footsteps.

“I’d like to say I have an exciting style as I can box and I can fight too. Things move fast with female boxing so I want to be busy this year, and hopefully next year I’ll be boxing for titles.”

Hopkins vs. Goranova tops a huge night of boxing in Manchester, Joshua Buatsi (13-0, 11 KOs) fights under Virgil Hunter for the first time against unbeaten Frenchman Daniel Blenda Dos Santos (15-0, 8 KOs) three European Title fights feature on the bill with Gamal Yafai (18-1, 10 KOs) defending his Super-Bantamweight Title for the first time against Jason Cunningham (28-6, 6 KOs), Tommy McCarthy (17-2, 18 KOs) defending his Cruiserweight crown against Romania’s Alexandru Jur (19-4, 7 KOs) and Lerrone Richards (14-0, 3 KOs) taking on Italy’s Giovanni De Carolis (28-9-1, 13 KOs) for the vacant Super-Middleweight strap, Dalton Smith (7-0, 6 KOs) takes on Lee Appleyard (16-5-1, 5 KOs) for the vacant English Super-Lightweight Title after their February clash fell through at short notice and Birmingham Heavyweight Solomon Dacres makes his professional debut.

Courtesy of Matchroom