Terri Harper: ‘Bad ego’ and conditioning will be Caroline Dubois’ downfall | ‘She’s got to live up to what she’s said’
Terri Harper is adamant that “bad ego” and conditioning will be the downfall of her rival Caroline Dubois.
Harper and Dubois meet on Sunday, live on Sky Sports, to unify the WBO and WBC lightweight world titles.
The build-up to their Easter clash at London’s Olympia has been fractious, but Harper is convinced that has only heaped further pressure on Dubois.
“I really think she’s got a bad ego,” Harper declared. “She truly believes it, she really needs to live up to everything she’s saying on fight night. I think that adds more pressure for herself.
“She’s going to look daft. If she doesn’t live up to everything she’s said she’s going to look daft. She’s added a lot more pressure.”
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Caroline Dubois trash talks Terri Harper in a fiery exchange at their press conference back in February ahead of their lightweight world title unification fight on April 5
Harper also believes she knows how Dubois is going to approach their fight, and expects her opponent to attempt to come out fast.
“That’s going to be the gameplan. That’s the only thing she can do,” Harper told Sky Sports. “I really do believe I outwork her and I come on strong in the second half of the fight.
“Every fight she has she fades. It’s the ego the thing. She tries to admire her own work. She’s got a lazy workrate.
“Her engine being one of [her weaknesses]. She really fades the second half of the fight,” Harper continued. “I said to her if she doesn’t get me out in the first half of the fight then she’s lost.”
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Caroline Dubois vows to bring back Terri Harper’s nightmares during their world title unification clash on April 5
Harper has won world championships in three weight classes already, however victory on Sunday would arguably mark the biggest win of her career.
“This is the fight I’ve always wanted. A big fight, I’m on a big platform, I’ve got a great promoter behind me, so it’s something I’ve always wanted. It’s here now for me to grab and run with,” Harper said.
“I could see her building up, going up the rankings, I knew it would only be a matter of time before our paths crossed and here we are.
“Caroline seems to think it’s the end of my career, but I’m coming into the prime part of my career and I believe this is perfect timing for this fight to happen.”
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Sky Sports Boxing’s Andy Scott runs though everything you need to know about Caroline Dubois’ lightweight unification clash with Terri Harper, April 5
All the goals Dubois still has of unifying titles, maybe even going undisputed, are achievements that Harper intends to take for herself.
“It’s my dream also,” she said. “There’s great opportunities still coming in and great fights still to be made. You’re not seeing the back of me yet.
“It’s definitely to unify. I think every fighter’s dream is to become undisputed. For me it’s just big fight after big fight, that’s all I want.”
Watch Caroline Dubois vs Terri Harper live on Sky Sports on Sunday April 5.