‘Horrendous' – Moment boxer Terri Harper clashes heads with Natalie Zimmerman to leaves her with horror ‘blood mask'
NATALIE ZIMMERMANN was left with a horrific gash on her head after her world title fight with Teri Harper.
The German challenged the Doncaster destroyer for the WBO women's lightweight title at the Keepmoat Stadium on Friday night.
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Zimmermann turned in a spirited display but was outclassed for 10 straight rounds on her way to suffering a unanimous decision defeat.
And the 42-year-old suffered a horrendous cut in the final round thanks to a nasty clash of heads.
The deep cut was just above Zimmermann's right eye and leaked enough to prompt the referee to call a timeout.
But the ringside doctor deemed the cut not worthy of a TKO stoppage and allowed Zimmermann to see out the last minute and fifteen seconds of the round.
Commentator Adam Smith said of the cut: "Oh it's horrendous.
"A bloody mask as Terri Harper continues to throw quality shots.
"And Zimmermann, how is she still standing?
Zimmermann was unable to land the Hail Mary punch she needed to end Harper's reign as WBO queen, with all three judges turning 99-91 scorecards.
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The win on home soil stretched three-weight world champ Harper's record to 16 wins, two defeats and two draws.
And the 28-year-old has set her sights on a domestic dust-up with her WBC counterpart, Caroline Dubois.
She said of a showdown with Dubois: "Yes. 100 per cent, that gets my fire burning.
"I said in the press conference she rubs me the wrong way.
"I think it makes a cracking fight and it makes sense.
"This was a very special night for me, very special training camp.
"Massive thanks to my opponent for putting on a great show in my hometown.
"She's tough. She started strong, I thought I needed to stay switched on.
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"Once I let the nerves settle and the occasion settle, I found my way in the fight.
"It's given me memories I will treasure for a lifetime.
"Not just in my boxing career, but as a person away from the sport.
"I don't know what's next.
"For me, I want to go on to fight the other champions of the division and really step up.
"I'm going to take some time off and see what happens, see if any contracts get sent over, get back to my team and work out a plan."
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The Guardian
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The Women's Euro 2025 starts on Wednesday in Thun and ends in Basel on Sunday, 27 England are one of 16 teams to contest the tournament, which will feature 31 matches over 26 will lift the trophy this time? Who are the favourites? And how will England and Wales do, as they begin in Group D with France and the Netherlands?BBC Sport's TV and radio football presenters and pundits predict what will happen in Switzerland. Who will win Euro 2025? Former England captain Steph Houghton: I think either Spain or Germany... Spain are current World Cup holders with a lot of good players in Aitana Bonmati, Alexia Putellas and Claudia Pina. Germany have a new manager [Christian Wuck], they have gone through that transition period and have performed really well in the last record women's goalscorer Ellen White: I genuinely think on any given day England can beat anyone. They have got a great and talented squad. 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I know Spain are favourites, but I think with everything going on with the announcement of retirements and some players not playing, sometimes that can galvanise a team and I'm hoping England prove everyone wrong and retain that City and England U21 defender Nedum Onuoha: It's tough to not pick Spain given the fact they are world champions and given the fact in this European campaign there have been some inconsistencies shown by so many sides. Spain have that quality and it will be very tough to beat Wales striker Helen Ward: It's too hard to look past Spain. They are such a good side with balance, talent and youngsters coming through. I see them as the big Wales defender Danny Gabbidon: Spain are World Cup holders and they are a fantastic footballing team. The nucleus of the Barcelona team that they have – particularly the midfield three – are difficult to play against. They are a really good team to watch and have so many different threats all over the pitch. What are England's chances? Alex Scott: England have a very tough group, but they are going all the way. They are going to be in the final and hopefully we will all be cheering when they lift that trophy Onuoha: I have genuine belief that England will get out of the group. It might not be glamourous, but I think they will probably finish top. With the path they will be on, I think the game they might lose would be a semi-final appearance against Spain, but realistically anything can Asante: England are in a really tough group, but in Sarina we trust. I think they can get to the final. It's going to be challenging with players retiring and withdrawing, but this could be the next generation to step into those shoes and make it happen. If they get out of the group stage, everything is Williams: I hope England go to the final and win it, but the key word is hope. I think England and France will progress out of the group. I hope England finish first and then we will get to the semi-final. If we finish second we are in trouble because we will get the Germans in the Houghton: I think England will get to the final. Our group is tough in terms of the competition with three different types of opponents, but I really do believe in the quality and the strength in depth in the squad. Especially in the forward areas. I think England will play Spain in the Gabbidon: As a Welshman I am hoping England don't progress too far. They are a fantastic team. They are the holders and have such a talented squad of players. They have had a little bit of upheaval, but you would expect them to be there or thereabouts at the end of the tournament. Behind Spain they are the second-best Ward: I expect them to get out of the group and that would be their expectation. As holders they are going to be up there as one of the favourites and I wouldn't be surprised to see them go deep in the tournament. How far will Wales go? Helen Ward: Wales can go as far as they believe. The Netherlands might look as that opening game as the perfect one for them and maybe Wales can play on that and take people by surprise and go under the radar. They have some fantastic talent with Welsh heart, grit and determination. We are the ultimate underdog. No other country has a dragon on their badge or flag, so that has got to mean something, hasn't it?Danny Gabbidon: I'm hoping Wales go all the way and win it, but being realistic with it being their first tournament I'm going to say something similar to what I said when the men qualified for Euro 2016 - if they can get out of the group that would be a really good achievement with how difficult that group is. If they get out of the group that would be a magnificent Onuoha: I feel for Wales because they have been so unlucky to end up in this group with Netherlands, France and England. They are the underdog in every single one of those games. But I think they will get a win, I just don't think it will be enough to get them out of the group. I imagine the games they play, especially against England, will be very hard-fought. With a strong start, they could be playing for a place in the knockouts in that final game. But I can't see them getting out of the Williams: I am rooting for Wales. It's always important that we support home nations and the growth at their first tournament. I think they will go out in the group stages. They are in a tough group and will probably finish bottom of the group, but they won't go out without a fight. Those Welsh players will give absolutely everything for the badge. Having played with a few at club level, their country means everything to Scott: I think it is epic they have reached their first major tournament and I'm all for that feeling that it can bring you together. They have waited a long, long time. I hope they can be a dark horse and surprise France and the Houghton: I think Wales will find it tough, but they have done unbelievably well to get to this tournament. To be involved in a group full of experienced teams at the highest level is going to be tough, but with this Welsh side I know they will never give up so it could be a surprise one for us Asante: History will tell us that for newcomers to major competitions, often it's about experiencing tournament football and learning a lot from the first experience. Not many have progressed out of the group stages in the very first tournament. Wales have been really unfortunate to draw highly ranked teams with the know-how and experience. I think they will probably struggle to get out of the group, but if they do then everything is possible. They go in with that fearlessness and underdog status. I hope it can happen for them. Who might be the dark horse? Ellen White: I think France might be a dark horse. They have suffered in a few major tournaments and haven't quite got over the line, but they have a talented squad with great youth and experience. I am excited to see how they fare and what their team looks Onuoha: Sweden will not be one of the highest-ranked teams, but the way they play and the fact they tend to turn up in these big international tournaments make them a very tough side to play against. I wouldn't be surprised for them to go further than some people Williams: Switzerland have a few good individual players and the support of the home crowd - we saw what it did for England in 2022 and this can really help them. They have a very experienced manager [Pia Sundhage] who will allow that balance for the players to experience what the home support is as well as keeping them focused. They are in a good Houghton: Sweden might be dark horses. Not many people have spoken about them, but when it comes to major tournaments they always find a way to get to the latter stages and they have a lot of players with a lot of Ward: I think Wales are going to throw a few surprises at the tournament. You can expect heart, passion, desire, togetherness, a real case of the true underdog. The biggest thing is the passion. They are going to give it absolutely everything and leave nothing out Asante: Norway have had such a bad showing of themselves in recent Euros, but on paper the squad is unreal. This could be the one that they finally get right and it just clicks and comes Gabbidon: I saw Italy in the Nations League as they were in Wales' group and I was really impressed. They thrashed Wales and played really good football. They are really organised and good off attacking set-pieces with lots of variation so I fancy Italy to surprise a few Scott: I'm going with Sweden. I think they will progress out of the group and they have a real resilience about them. They are one to keep an eye on. Can you call Sweden a dark horse? They are always there or thereabouts. Who will win the Golden Boot? Ellen White: Alessia Russo had a great season and is very influential for England, not just for scoring goals but her work ethic, her runs, her selflessness. I don't want to put too much pressure on her because if she doesn't win the Golden Boot but England win the Euros then great. But I think she has had a great season. It could be someone random, but I hope it's Alessia Ward: Claudia Pina has been in fantastic form for Barcelona and Spain. She doesn't always start, but she comes on and makes a big impact. She has an eye for goal, she is young, exciting, talented and she is in absolutely flying form at the Gabbidon: Alessia Russo had a fantastic season for Arsenal with more than 20 goals. She is a Champions League winner and comes into this tournament full of confidence. She is going to be the one leading the line for England and with the quality players around her creating chances you would expect her to be there or thereabouts for the Golden Boot and you would expect England to go deep in the tournament which helps with Asante: Seeing as I have picked Germany as potential winners I'm going to have to pick Klara Williams: I'd love Alessia Russo to win it if she can carry on that form. If England get all the way, Russo wins it. If not, I'm going with Onuoha: I'm going to go for Claudia Pina. Whether or not she starts is not guaranteed, but you have seen the quality of her finishing and the impact she can have and the clinical nature she has, I think she is going to be a big part of their Houghton: Hopefully Alessia Russo is the Golden Boot winner. That is what I Scott: It could be between Alessia Russo and Esther Gonzalez for Spain. Who could have a breakthrough tournament? Steph Houghton: Claudia Pina is the next big superstar from Spain to go alongside Alexia Putellas and Aitana Bonmati. She will score goals, she loves to dribble at people and cause problems and she is very quick. I would have my eye on her for sure. She might not start all the time, but in terms of impact, what she can bring to that Spain team and how they play, I feel as though she can be Onuoha: I'm going to say Michelle Agyemang. I think Sarina Wiegman has seen her quality and given how tough England's games will be throughout the tournament, she could be someone that comes on and makes a difference towards the end of matches when people are tired and people are playing against her probably for the first time on most of these occasions. With the quality she has, she can definitely be the Asante: If Grace Clinton gets a chance it could be her tournament. Otherwise I'd like to see Aggie Beever-Jones break through and show everybody what we already know. She has had an exceptional season, her goal-to-minutes ratio is ridiculous in the WSL. She can be England's Ella Toone and Chloe Kelly from the last Williams: We saw what Claudia Pina did for Spain when she came off the bench against England in the recent Nations League game. She is not a regular starter in the Spanish team, but I think she will work her way into the starting Ward: Wales' Carrie Jones could have a breakout tournament. She is a young talent that plays in Sweden for her club side. That has brought her game on a lot. She might not start every game for Wales but she can have an Scott: There are a few young players that we need to keep an eye on. This could be a breakout tournament for [Spain teenager] Vicky Lopez. When you look at the Spanish team they are stacked and Aitana Bonmati is just class with her elegance on the ball. Everyone is going to be watching her glide and control the midfield like she normally Gabbidon: My must-watch player would be Lauren Hemp. I know she is just off the back of a long-term injury but she is one of those players that gets bums off seats. Her ability to create goals, score goals, dribble, go past players. She has a fantastic left foot and is capable of those magic moments.
