Boxing: Ryan Stops Harper To Defend Title

 

World champion Sandy Ryan defended her WBO welterweight crown with a formidable stoppage win over fellow Briton Terri Harper in Sheffield.

Derby's Ryan, 30, was a class above Harper - landing combinations to head and body for three dominant rounds.

Harper, 27, fails in her bid to become a three-weight world champion, with her long-time trainer Stefy Bull pulling her from the fight before the fourth.

"I know Terri Harper and I knew I had to take it to her early," Ryan said.

"I had to be more smart in my work, but I knew I had to take it to her and stick to the gameplan."

She extends her record to seven wins, with one draw and one defeat since turning professional.

Doncaster-born Harper - who holds the WBA light-middleweight title - recorded a second loss in her 18th fight and left the ring without giving any post-fight interviews.

- Author: Kal Sajad, BBC