Ryan vs Harper Prediction: Brits Battle for World Title
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Ryan Sidle
Domestic rivals battle for world gold on Saturday night, in Sheffield, England, in the latest exciting night of boxing from the other side of the Atlantic. It could be an absolute classic of a women’s title fight.
We’ll have all the news and information for the bout ahead of the weekend in our Sandy Ryan vs Terri Harper prediction.
It’s Ryan’s WBO female welterweight title which is on the line, she could currently hold three versions of the title.
Ryan vs Harper Prediction
Both women go into this one as world champions in their respective weights. However, Harper is dropping down a division in an attempt to capture gold at another weight.
Interestingly both women go into this one having drawn in their most recent outing, for Ryan in particular that was a controversial result.
Sandy Ryan preview
It seems almost inconceivable that this is just the ninth time that Derby’s Ryan is stepping into the ring as a professional. This comes after an excellent amateur career, which saw her win silver in the World Championships.
What makes it so mind blowing is that she’s already won a world title and defended it on one occasion, against Jessica McGaskill.
In truth though, that defense should have seen the Brit win two more versions of the welterweight world title. The fight went to the judges, who somehow decided it was a draw.
Unfortunately, the nature of women’s fights, being shorter rounds and still only 10 of them even for world title fights, means that they rely on the judges even more often than the men.
That is likely to affect our Sandy Ryan vs Terri Harper prediction.
Other than that draw, Ryan has only had one set back, a loss to Erica Farias, who she then beat in a rematch.
Terri Harper preview
Harper might be three years younger than her opponent on Saturday, but the WBA super welterweight champion has more experience in the professional ranks.
The 27-year-old didn’t have the amateur career of her rival, even though she won national titles, but she has been excellent in the professional ranks generally.
‘Belter’ was just eight fights into her career when she won the super featherweight title, stopping Nozipho Bell. She later added the WBC version of the gold, retaining both in a tight draw with Natasha Jonas. She lost the titles in a shock defeat to Alycia Baumgardner in 2021, being stopped on her feet.
That was in the Utilta Arena in Sheffield and it’s a place that’s not been too kind to her, after she drew last time out against Cecilia Brækhus.
Will fighting in her unlucky arena make any difference to our Ryan vs Harper prediction? Or can she turn things around?
Sandy Ryan vs Terri Harper Prediction: Ryan Back to Winning Ways
After both women ended their most recent fights with a draw, they’ll both be desperate to get back to winning ways. Harper is looking to become a three weight world champion but that’s not where our Ryan vs Harper prediction is going.
In fact, we think that Ryan is going to add more pain to Harper in the Steel City. Her reaction to the disappointment against McGaskill is important here, but we think it’ll be positive.
The 27-year-old is favorite and we think that the odds makers have got this one spot on. Our first prediction is Harper to win on the Moneyline at -400.
The women’s world title fights do tend to go to the judges and, between these two fighters, their last nine fights have gone the distance. Ryan to win by decision at -180 is our second prediction.
Finally we don’t think that any of the judges will be giving the fight to Harper with Ryan to win by unanimous decision at -120.
Ryan Sidle is a sports journalist with nearly a decade in the industry. He's been interested in boxing since Mike Tyson vs Frank Bruno and his MMA fandom was sparked by Michael Bisping and Anderson Silva.