Terri Harper will put her WBC and IBO Super-Featherweight World Titles on the line against undefeated WBA World Champion Hyun-Mi Choi on a huge night of action at the AO Arena, Manchester on Saturday May 15 that also sees the return of rising Light-Heavyweight star Joshua Buatsi plus three European Title fights, live on Sky Sports in the UK and DAZN in the US and more than 200 countries and territories.

Harper (11-0-1, 6 KOs) looked sensational as she stopped Norway’s Katharina Thanderz in nine rounds to retain her WBC and IBO 130lbs crowns last time out in November at The SSE Arena, Wembley on the undercard of Katie Taylor’s win over Miriam Gutierrez. 

‘Belter’ clung onto her belts after a thrilling draw with Natasha Jonas at Matchroom Fight Camp back in August, but the 24-year-old produced a far more composed performance to ruthlessly halt her mandatory challenger Thanderz in just her 12^th fight. 

Choi (18-0-1, 4 KOs), the longest-reigning world ruler in women’s boxing, beat China’s Chunyan Xu on her professional debut in October 2008 to claim the vacant WBA Featherweight crown before making seven defences of her World Title in the following five years. 

The South Korean became a two-weight World Champion when she landed the WBA Super-Featherweight Title against Thailand’s Siriwan Thongmanit in May 2014, and most recently defended it against Calista Silgado on her Matchroom debut at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.

“It’s exciting that our dream of becoming Undisputed Super-Featherweight World Champion is taking a step closer to reality with my first unification fight,” said Harper. “I’m looking forward to the step-up and fighting an undefeated champion.

“Choi is the longest-reigning female World Champion and it will be an honour to share the ring with her. I’m more than ready. I’ve been training for this fight since the new year, even with my broken hand. I don’t just want to win; I want to win in style and make a statement.”

“I have waited a very long time for the opportunity to fight for the WBC belt,” said Choi. “I am so excited and looking forward to it. My goal has been to unify my weight division for many years and now the time has finally come.

“I know this fight in England will not be easy. Fighting in another country is extremely difficult but I am prepared for this adventure and challenge. I truly hope the best fighter will win. I have prepared for this opportunity my whole boxing career.”

Croydon’s Buatsi (13-0, 11 KOs) came through the toughest test of his career as he stopped brave Croatian Marko Calic in seven brutal rounds to retain his WBA International Light-Heavyweight Title in the main event at the Marshall Arena in Milton Keynes last October.

The 28-year-old has since switched trainers and will now be guided by Virgil Hunter in San Francisco, the renowned coach who oversaw Andre Ward’s legendary career that ended with a perfect 32-0 record and World Titles in two divisions. 

Undefeated Super-Middleweight talent Lerrone Richards (14-0, 3 KOs), the former British and Commonwealth Champion, steps up his pursuit for world honours as he takes on Italy’s Giovanni De Carolis (28-9-1, 13 KOs) for the vacant EBU European Title.

Belfast’s Tommy McCarthy (17-2, 18 KOs) captured the vacant EBU European Cruiserweight Title after a hard-fought majority decision victory over Bilal Laggoune – he makes the first defence of his belt against Romania’s Alexandru Jur (19-4, 7 KOs).

Birmingham’s Gamal Yafai (18-1, 10 KOs) puts his EBU European Super-Bantamweight Title on the line for the first time against Jason Cunningham (28-6, 6 KOs) after claiming it with an impressive unanimous decision victory over Italy’s Luca Rigoldi at the Allianz Cloud in Milan.

Fast-rising Super-Lightweight star Dalton Smith (7-0, 6 KOs) meets Doncaster’s Lee Appleyard (16-5-1, 5 KOs) for the vacant English Title after their February clash fell through at short notice due two positive COVID tests in Appleyard’s camp. 

“This is a cracking card and most likely our last in the U.K. behind closed doors,” said Eddie Hearn. “As Terri Harper continues her quest for Undisputed, she takes on the unbeaten champ Hyun-Mi Choi in a brilliant unification match-up. Joshua Buatsi returns to action under new trainer Virgil Hunter and we have three European Title match ups with champions Tommy MCarthy and Gamal Yafai defending and Leronne Richards going for the Super-Middleweight Title. Electric prospect Dalton Smith also steps-up in a great fight vs. Lee Appleyard for the vacant English Title as he continues his charge.”

Adam Smith, Head of Boxing Development for Sky Sports, said: “Terri Harper tops a superb night of action, live on Sky Sports, in a high-class unification clash with rival World Champion Hyun-Mi Choi.

“Terri is one of our leading women’s fighters – we’ve followed her journey closely – and now she aims to propel herself into elite company as a unified champion.

“Joshua Buatsi continues his explosive pursuit of a World Title fight and it will be fascinating to see the influence of America’s highly-regarded trainer, Virgil Hunter.

“Lerrone Richards, Tommy McCarthy and Gamal Yafai also return in a triple-header of European Title action, while Dalton Smith against Lee Appleyard should be an enthralling domestic clash.”

Matchroom Boxing are delighted to announce the signing of undefeated WBA Super-Featherweight World Champion Hyun-Mi Choi on a multi-fight promotional deal. 

Choi (17-0-1, 4 KOs) beat China’s Chunyan Xu on her professional debut in October 2018 to claim the vacant WBA Featherweight crown before making seven defences of her World Title in the following five years. 

The South Korean became a two-weight World Champion when she landed the WBA Super-Featherweight Title against Thailand’s Siriwan Thongmanit in May 2014, and has since made six defences of the Title, most recently against Wakako Fujiwara in June 2019.

Choi joins a Matchroom stable that boasts WBC and IBO 130lbs Champion Terri Harper, who puts her titles on the line against Norway’s Katharina Thanderz in London tomorrow, and France’s long reigning IBF ruler Maiva Hamadouche.

“I have worked hard and dedicated my life to being the best Champion I can be,” said Choi. “I strive to improve every day and work on my craft. I am thankful for my family, friends, and team who have supported me on this Championship journey these past 12 years.

“As I have grown and matured and studied our sport, I still have a yearning desire not just to defend my Title but to achieve my ultimate goal of unifying all of the belts. I will continue to challenge myself, work hard and dedicate my whole being to women’s boxing. I want to be an ambassador for women’s boxing and continue to grow its popularity.”

“We are delighted to welcome Hyun-Mi Choi to the Matchroom Boxing team,” said promoter Eddie Hearn. “It is a wonderful time for women’s boxing and particularly the Super-Featherweight division as we target an Undisputed Champion in the weight class. We look forward to seeing her defend her Title later this year before a major unification in early 2021.”

Paco Damian, Paco Presents Boxing, said: “The entire Hyunmi’s team are very proud to represent the longest reigning champion today. Hyunmi is one of the most respectful, sweetest, hardworking athletes I have ever known. We are also very pleased to have teamed up with Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing to be able to give Hyunmi the fights she deserved. She will be ready to defend her WBA World Super-Featherweight Title against an opponent to be determined before the end of the year.”