Boxing Apr 04, 2026

Terri Harper on facing hate: 'Just be your authentic self. Don’t change who you are'

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
Terri Harper on facing hate: 'Just be your authentic self. Don’t change who you are'

Professional boxing can be a hostile environment for members of the LGBTQ+ community.

But Terri Harper, a multi-weight world champion, looks to help where she can.

"I've had a couple of people in and around the gym, they just feel comfortable coming to me and chatting to me. I'm not an expert but I do like to just give a couple of words of advice," Harper told Your Site.

"I think it's always important to be true to who you are. Just be your authentic self and just do what you truly believe in and try not to change yourself for anybody else despite if they have other opinions.

"Because we're all entitled to an opinion but it doesn't mean you have to change who you are."

After her lightweight world title unification fight with Caroline Dubois on April 5, Harper will start planning her wedding with partner Gemma.

Harper added: "I think I've been quite lucky throughout my career to not really have much hate.

"I think I've got to that age now where it's just over my head because I know who I am as a person."

There are positive signs from grassroots gyms, the sport's community and amateur boxing.

Martin Stark, an activist against homophobia in combat sport, said: "A number of women in the sport are real champions of change, real trailblazers. I think that gives a level of hope and the hope is obviously the vast majority of people involved in the sport who are against this.

"The people who welcome someone into their gym, or are supporting their mates, what I call real boxing, that's the hope."

But he doesn't see similar support more generally in the professional sport. "A gay boxer, or bi boxer who is in the closet and is bullied, who are they going to go to for support? There's nothing," Stark said.

"I'll separate the amateur and the professional. Amateur boxing has made good progress and absolutely would call out hate speech and discrimination.

"But at the moment when we look at the professional level and the leadership and where it's heading, it's going to get worse.

"I don't think homophobia in boxing will be solved in my lifetime."

Watch Terri Harper fight Caroline Dubois for the WBC and WBO world lightweight championships live on Your Site on Sunday April 5

Tags:

boxing news

Share this article

Related Posts

Deontay Wilder beats Derek Chisora by split decision in thriller as Londoner heads for retirement

Deontay Wilder beats Derek Chisora by split decision in thriller as Londoner heads for retirement

Deontay Wilder spoiled Derek Chisora's potential farewell party as he edged a thrilling split decision victory to send the Londoner into retirement at...

Ellie Scotney could become a three-weight undisputed world champion, says her trainer Shane McGuigan

Ellie Scotney could become a three-weight undisputed world champion, says her trainer Shane McGuigan

Ellie Scotney stands to write her own chapter in British boxing history on Sunday night.If she beats Mayelli Flores to unify the WBA, WBO, WBC and IBF...

Conor Benn unfazed by outside noise over Zuffa switch as Regis Prograis dismisses injury speculation

Conor Benn unfazed by outside noise over Zuffa switch as Regis Prograis dismisses injury speculation

Conor Benn and Regis Prograis will try to knock each other out on Saturday. For now, they remain on mutual noise-blocking ground. Benn's new deal with...

Caroline Dubois reveals she fell ill on day of fight with Terri Harper | 'I would jump at Katie Taylor fight'

Caroline Dubois reveals she fell ill on day of fight with Terri Harper | 'I would jump at Katie Taylor fight'

Caroline Dubois has revealed she was struck down by an illness on the day of her fight with Terri Harper.Dubois dropped her British rival Harper in th...

Dubois vs Harper, Scotney vs Flores: Fight updates, results, undercard and highlights from women's boxing bill

Dubois vs Harper, Scotney vs Flores: Fight updates, results, undercard and highlights from women's boxing bill

'Newcastle could sell TWO key players this summer'Newcastle could be forced to sell up to two key players this summer, according to the BBC....

Deontay Wilder: Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury, Oleksandr Usyk, Moses Itauma - what next for Bronze Bomber after win over Derek Chisora?

Deontay Wilder: Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury, Oleksandr Usyk, Moses Itauma - what next for Bronze Bomber after win over Derek Chisora?

Deontay Wilder may not be the force of devastating power he once was, but there can be no doubt of his continued proclivity for chaos or entertainment...