Terri Harper vs Natalie Zimmermann – Live Results From the Eco-Power Stadium

Welcome to Big Fight Weekend’s live results coverage for Terri Harper vs Natalie Zimmermann from Eco-Power Stadium in Doncaster on May 23. We’ll be updating this article throughout the night with full recaps of every fight on the card, from the opening bout through to the world title fight between Harper and Zimmermann. Stay tuned for all the key moments as they unfold. The first fight of the main broadcast is expected to begin around 19:00 BST.

Terri Harper vs Natalie Zimmermann: Undercard and Main Event Results on May 23

Terri Harper vs Natalie Zimmermann

In the main event, it was time for Terri Harper (16-2-2, 6 KOs) to defend her WBO women’s lightweight title against the undefeated German challenger Natalie Zimmermann (13-1, 3 KOs). It was a dominant start from Harper, who whipped in some hooks, while Zimmermann looked like a novice compared to the experienced Brit.

A right hand from Harper rocked the German in the second round, who did well to survive. Harper maintained the distance better in the third, not rushing her work. She hurt Zimmermann again in the fifth, and despite being woefully overmatched, the German showed plenty of bravery.

Harper continued to dominate as the fight progressed. She hurt Zimmermann on several occasions, but the German showed a good chin and plenty of desire to keep firing back. An accidental clash of heads in the final round left Zimmerman nursing a bad cut – but still, the German showed her bravery, fighting until the final bell. There was a huge gap in quality, but Harper did some good work when she didn’t smother her own punches. The judges’ scorecards read: 99-91 x3, with Harper retaining her WBO lightweight world title.

Maxi Hughes vs Archie Sharp

In the penultimate fight of the night, Maxi Hughes (29-7-2, 6 KOs) faced Archie Sharp (25-2, 9 KOs) for the WBC silver lightweight title. It was a cagey opening round, with both looking to find their distance and range. In the early rounds, it was Hughes who tried to force the pace, while Sharp tried to control the distance, aiming to punish Hughes if he fell short.

As the fight reached the halfway mark, only Hughes appeared willing to push the action, with Sharp content to move and throw minimal potshots. The seventh round brought the most excitement, with Hughes landing a well-timed left hand, that rocked Sharp, who retreated to survive the round.

At the end of the eighth round, Sharp finally let his hands go, but was it too little, too late? He continued to focus more on movement than output as the rounds wore on. Sharp did more in the later rounds but remained too negative. Hughes had limited success, but at least made the effort to force the fight with consistent body shots.

The final three rounds felt like reading War and Peace, but we eventually heard the final bell. The judges’ scorecards read 115-113, 116-112 and 120-108, all favouring Maxi Hughes, the new WBC silver lightweight champion.

James Flint vs Haitham Laamouz

Up next was Jimmy Joe Flint (15-2-2, 3 KOs) against Haitham Laamouz (20-2, 9 KOs) for the vacant IBO super lightweight continental title. Laamouz started the first two rounds on the front foot, but Flint responded well, putting his shots together and using his jab effectively. During the second round, Flint developed a problem with his right shoulder and seemingly told his corner he couldn’t throw his right hand.

Laamouz tried to step up the pace while Flint struggled to use his right hand and landed some nice short right hands. Flint moved well throughout the third and made it to the bell. Flint enjoyed his best round in the fifth, moving well and doubling up with the left hook.

The Maltese fighter continued to force the pace, but much of his work missed the target. Flint’s confidence appeared to increase as the fight continued, despite only having one fully functioning arm. The left hook continued to find a home as the fight went on. A brilliant body shot from Flint in the final round had the Maltese fighter hurt before he fired back.

What a fight with both fighters deserving credit, but Jimmy Joe didn’t just survive – he excelled as the fight progressed. The fight went to the judges’ scorecards, which read: 98-93, 98-92 and 96-94, awarding Laamouz the unanimous decision victory. It was a 96-94 fight either way for me, but what a performance from Flint. Congratulations to Haitham Laamouz, who leaves as the IBO super lightweight continental champion.

Taz Nadeem vs Bahadur Karami

In the next fight, it was time for the super middleweights, with unbeaten prospect Taz Nadeem (6-0, 3 KOs) facing Bahadur Karami (4-30-4, 1 KO). It was a dominant opening round from Nadeem as he whipped in brutal body shots throughout the three minutes.

Karami enjoyed success in the third round, landing some combinations. As the fight progressed, Nadeem seemed to tire, but his work on his opponent’s body remained eye-catching.

The 33-year-old Iranian continued to walk forward and have success, but the heavier shots undoubtedly came from Nadeem. The fight went to the referees’ scorecard, with Nadeem winning 60-55. Ultimately, not the performance the Rotherham fighter would have wanted, but a valuable six rounds nonetheless.

Reece Mould vs Lewis Sylvester

Next up was Reece Mould (20-4, 6 KOs) vs Lewis Sylvester (16-1, 4 KOs) for the vacant IBO continental lightweight title. Sylvester started well, working smartly off his jab, before Mould closed the distance effectively and began to find success, landing a nice right hand that cut Sylvester.

Mould had his best round in the third and began to slow Sylvester down before the Hull fighter landed a big right hand that hurt Mould. The Doncaster fighter enjoyed a better fifth round, and when his opponent seemed to be getting on top, Mould fired back.

A strong seventh round for Sylvester saw him land some heavy punches toward the end of the round, with Mould cut by the left eye. As the fight progressed, Sylvester’s footwork was vital, allowing him to create angles and potshot. Mould showed his bravery until the end, but the Hull man was too slick and deserved his win.

The judges’ scorecards read 97-93 for Sylvester, while the second judge surprisingly saw Mould the winner by 96-94, with the final judge giving it 96-94 to Sylvester crowning him the IBO continental lightweight champion by split decision.

Ed Hardy vs Darwing Martinez

In the opening fight of the DAZN broadcast, it was the featherweights first up, with Ed Hardy (4-0, 2 KOs) facing the durable Darwing Martinez (8-32-2, 6 KOs). Hardy began well and established his jab while whipping in some nice-looking body shots.

Martinez showed his bravery and landed some nice left hooks, but Hardy picked his shots well. The Doncaster native continued to apply pressure for the rest of the fight and looked impressive when he put combinations together. Hardy also scored a knockdown in round four. Martinez showed his experience, making it to the final bell. The Nicaraguan had a point taken away in the final round for holding. The referee’s scorecard read 60-52 for the Farmboy.

Terri Harper vs Natalie Zimmermann: YouTube Prelims

In the final fight of the YouTube prelims, it was the super welterweights again, with Lewis Booth (16-1, 0 KOs) vs Joe Haydon (17-0, 1 KO).

Haydon started well and picked his punches smartly, but around the midway point, Booth increased the pressure and mixed his attacks well. Both had their moments, but Haydon’s work was more eye-catching. The referee’s scorecard read 78-75 for Haydon.

Ellie Hellewell (7-0, 1 KO) defeated Stevi Levy (13-4, 1 KO) 97-94 in their Commonwealth super bantamweight title eliminator. She boxed impressively throughout against the brave Levy.

In the opening fight of the night, Jamie Mellers (8-1, 1 KOs) defeated Cameron Kaihau (9-2, 0 KOs) in the super welterweight division by second-round TKO.