The glitz, glamor and tall tales of Las Vegas are unlike anything in boxing folklore. Saudi Arabia might be pouring big money into blockbuster fights in 2024, but Sin City’s appeal remains unmatched for the fight game.
That appeal of a neon wonderland steeped in boxing is part of what persuaded British WBO welterweight champion Sandy Ryan (6-1-1, 2 KOs) to change her life in pursuit of greatness, changing her training and management team and moving to the Mojave Desert ahead of Saturday’s showdown with two-weight world champion Terri Harper.
Just don’t expect any of those tall tales.
“The training was good. “I’ve been cooped up, isolated and haven’t seen much of Las Vegas,” Ryan told The Jugo Mobile. “I’m not here to do that.”
LOOK: Ryan vs. Harper live exclusively on DAZN
The 30-year-old had a slight black eye from her efforts at DLX Boxing when we spoke and she isn’t kidding when she talks about sparring in America being at the highest level.
Since September’s controversial split decision draw against WBA and WBC champion Jessica McCaskill, a fight many observers felt Ryan won handily, she has shared rounds with pound-for-pound superstar Claressa Shields.
“It’s a great job,” he said. “I respect Claressa enormously for what she has done in the sport, so I appreciate being able to work with her a little bit.
“We had some really great rounds. I couldn’t ask for anything more.”
Gwoat x @sandyryan93 ?? ??
Nothing but hard work! Set the ringtone! pic.twitter.com/aArtztehzD– Claressa Gwoat Shields (@Claressashields) February 13, 2024
It is not the first time that Ryan has been the opponent chosen in the gym by the best. Katie Taylor named her training partner as a key ingredient in November’s revenge over Chantelle Cameron for undisputed super lightweight glory. The WBO champion is now working with Taylor’s manager Brian Peters.
“Obviously they’re completely different fighters, but they’re both great in their own way,” Ryan said of Taylor and Shields, who are ranked No. 1 and 2 on Jugo Mobile’ women’s P4P list. “They are both very professional in their own way.
“I learned a lot of things from both of them and I am grateful for that. I think I was also helpful to them. It’s also cool because it shows where I belong. I’m up there training the greats. “It’s where I want to go, to the top of the sport.”
That journey to the top continues this weekend against Harper (14-1-2, 6 KOs), another elite fighter Ryan has faced behind closed gym doors. Alycia Baumgardner ended the 27-year-old’s super featherweight reign in November 2021 before jumping four weight classes to dethrone Hannah Rankin the following year.
Despite those feats, it’s safe to say that this fight drops him back down to 147 pounds and brings Harper back to his more natural weight. The confidence of both fighters heading into the confrontation has given a sharp advantage to the preparation.
Both fighters make Championship weight ?
⚖️ @sandyryan93 – 146.2 pounds
⚖️ @TerriHarper96 – 145.9 pounds#RyanHarper #SmithZepeda pic.twitter.com/655kpKggoB— Boxing in the match room (@MatchroomBoxing) March 22, 2024
“She knows who I am and what I bring to the table. “I look forward to bringing out the best in Terri Harper,” Ryan proclaimed.
“I feel like she’s going to try to box me, but if she wants to stay there and fight me, I don’t care either way. I have confidence in both of them, whatever the outcome of the fight. I am going to dictate, I am sure that what I contribute will be enough to defeat Terri Harper.”
Harper’s previous super welterweight title defense ended in a disputed draw with Cecilia Braekhus in the same Sheffield Arena where blows will be exchanged on Saturday.
Results like that and Ryan’s deeply questionable draw with McCaskill have added weight to arguments that elite female fighters should be able to compete in three-minute rounds, allowing their range of skills more time to shine and decisively claim an advantage.
“I don’t care, I can fight for two or three minutes,” Ryan said. “I train three- and four-minute rounds in the gym, so I don’t mind hitting three minutes, but it’s not my decision. I’m just doing what they tell me to do.
“I also think that if they made it three minutes, then they have to match the pay if they match the time.”
Ryan vs. Harper is the co-main event alongside undefeated Sheffield super-lightweight Dalton Smith’s advance test against Jose Zepeda. It’s not completely equal billing, but a rejuvenated and refocused Ryan could end up stealing the show with a performance worthy of the Las Vegas wrestling fraternity to which he now belongs.
