Terri Harper motivated to become triple world champion, undefeated Rhiannon Dixon stands menacingly in her way

In the past four years, few fighters in boxing have weight-hopped more than Terri Harper, who heads into a crunch clash with WBO lightweight champion Rhiannon Dixon in Sheffield on September 28. The 10-round bout, plus undercard action, will be broadcast by DAZN.

WATCH: Rhiannon Dixon vs. Terri Harper, live on DAZN

Harper (14-2-2, 6 KOs) won the WBC super featherweight title in 2020 and made two successful defenses before losing to American Alycia Baumgardner. Less than a year later, Harper dethroned WBA super welterweight champion Hannah Rankin before vacating that title following a draw with former pound-for-pound queen Cecilia Braekhus.

However, it was her most recent bout — a fourth-round TKO loss to WBO welterweight champion Sandy Ryan in March — that convinced Harper to return to the lower weight classes.

"In the first round, I went out and threw everything I had at her," recalled Harper in a recent interview with The Sporting News. "After the first round, that's when I really felt Sandy's presence; the extra weight, the strength, just everything. I couldn't match it.

"I remember (trainer) Andrew [Bullcroft] saying to me after the third round, 'Terri if you're not giving me anything in the next round, I'm stopping the fight' and that's what he did."

Terri Harper vs. Rhiannon Dixon: Challenger chasing history

The last time Harper made the lightweight limit was March 2022, for what was a confidence builder following the Baumgardner setback. The Yorkshire native weighed 133 ¼ pounds for a routine decision win over Yamila Belen Abellaneda.

Despite competing as high as 152 pounds since that time, the ex-champ has no concerns about making 135 as she bids to become a three-weight world champion.

"I’m very confident that I can make the weight," Harper said. "Looking back now, I wish I'd rebuilt my career at lightweight.

"What a lot of people don't know is that I haven't really done strength and conditioning or been heavy lifting for almost two years now, so because of that I've come back down to my natural body weight. I walk around at [146 pounds]."

Despite everything she’s accomplished, Harper enters Saturday’s bout as a significant underdog. Dixon is the in-form fighter, having won European and world title honors in her last two bouts. Trained by former WBA lightweight champion Anthony Crolla, the Cheshire-born lefty promises to be a tough night's work.

"I’m a big fan of Rhiannon," admitted Harper. "She's very fast and her boxing style is really nice, but I have to look at what I'm good at. This is the first time Rhiannon's stepped up. I feel like her fighting me is her first true challenge. It’s a great fight for both of us.

"I know a lot of fighters are awkward being in with southpaws, but I enjoy it. I've always found it comfortable being in the ring with them. I’ve been with my old amateur coach (Paul Durose) for the full camp and working on little shots that we can get off."

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At only 27 years old, Harper still has a lot to give to the sport. Habitually humble and pleasant, it's sometimes difficult to remember that you're talking to a fighter. With that said, it's clear that this one means a lot to her.

"I just want a good win to celebrate with my team and my close ones around me so that I cement myself back into these weight divisions," said Harper.

"I feel like I've got all the experience at this point in my career to go out there and put on a dominant performance. It'll be the first time in a long time that I'll go into the ring without disadvantages in weight. I feel like this fight is perfect for me."

Dixon, 29, is a 10-0 world champion who seeks to spoil those plans in what should be a quality main event.