04 March 2020

British boxer Dave Allen hails Terri Harper as 'the woman to beat Katie Taylor'

British boxer Dave Allen has tipped WBC Super Featherweight champion Terri Harper as the woman to beat Irish superstar Katie Taylor.

Harper announced herself on the world stage with a dominant points victory over Finland's Eva Wahlstrom in Sheffield in February.

Harper produced a sensational boxing display against Wahlstrom in February (PA Images)

And Allen, who also claimed a victory of his own on the show, believes his fellow Doncaster-born fighter can be the first person to defeat undisputed lightweight champion Taylor.

Speaking to talkSPORT, Allen said: “I honestly think she will be the woman to beat Katie Taylor, she’s that good.

“And I’m not just saying that because she’s from down the road, I’ve never seen a stronger person in my life. She’s so strong, athletically she’s so gifted.

“I back her to beat every super-featherweight in the world, I think she’ll beat every lightweight in the world as well. I genuinely think she’s that good.

“She’s 23 years old, I think in three or four years’ time she’ll be the pound-for-pound greatest woman boxer in the world.”

Allen beat Dorian Darch on the same night as Harper's world title victory in Sheffield (PA Images)

The world title belt Harper holds is in the 130 pound division, five pounds lighter than Taylor, who operates at lightweight.

But before that fight can even be discussed, the boxer from South Yorkshire has to concentrate on Natasha Jonas, who she faces on April 24 in a homecoming show for the world champion.

In one of the biggest night's of the year for women's boxing, Chantelle Cameron and Shannon Courtenay will also feature at the Doncaster Dome.

It will be a big night of women's boxing in Doncaster on April 24 (PA Images)

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