Sandy Ryan vs Terri Harper: Defending champion relishing all-British world title fight

Sandy Ryan and Jessica McCaskill fought to a split decision draw last September

Sandy Ryan is sporting a fading black eye as she explains why fellow Briton Terri Harper is exactly the type of challenge she has been looking for.

The pair fight in Sheffield on Saturday for Ryan's WBO welterweight title with the champion, like so many of her peers, searching for that breakout fight that will make her a pound-for-pound contender.

Five months ago Ryan came agonisingly close to becoming unified champion. A controversial draw with WBA and WBC champion Jessica McCaskill in Florida made sure the belts stayed with the American.

"I proved a lot in that fight," says the 30-year-old. "Even though I'm a world champion, I still only have a few fights under my belt. There is still so much for people to see of Sandy Ryan."

McCaskill is a former undisputed champion at the weight - a trailblazer in women's boxing - but while her name carries weight, Doncaster's Harper and Derby's Ryan grew up just over an hour away from each other.

"All-British clash - it makes it a bigger fight," Ryan says.

Harper, 27, is a two-weight world champion with 14 wins in 17 fights and is bidding to join an elite club of British fighters to win a belt in a third weight in the modern era.

Ryan is hopeful a convincing win over Harper can be a breakout moment for her.

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Ryan said: "You've got a lot of people saying it's 50/50. I respect Terri, really nice girl, but I'm very confident.

"I don't see it being 50/50, so this is where I can make a statement.

"[This is a] fight that will give me more recognition, build my name and reputation."

Ryan has overhauled her coaching team, and her life, since the draw against McCaskill. She has sparred with two-weight undisputed champions Katie Taylor and Claressa Shields and relocated her training camp to Las Vegas.

Ireland's Taylor specially thanked Ryan for helping her overcome Chantelle Cameron in their rematch last November.

"That says a lot in itself," Ryan says. "Katie doesn't talk a lot so for her to say that, I'm grateful."

Cameron might have been undisputed light-welterweight champion before she fought Taylor, but beating the pound-for-pound star in Dublin propelled the Northampton fighter to the main stage of boxing.

Ryan wants the rematch with McCaskill, who is now scheduled to fight Lauren Price on 11 May in Cardiff.

Keen to have her own big moment, Ryan hasn't seen much of the famous Strip in her eight weeks in the States, instead "locking" herself away in training, inviting Shields to Vegas to spar.

"I don't really know other females who have sparred them both," Ryan says of Taylor and Shields.

Ryan welcomes two-weight champion Harper to welterweight on Saturday in Sheffield

"They've both achieved a lot, they're at the pinnacle of the sport, where I want to get to," she adds.

"I belong up there with the top girls. It gives me that confidence to know yeah, I'm a world champion. I'm Sandy Ryan. For someone to beat me now, you have to be special."

Harper has won world titles at super-featherweight and light-middleweight. This fight is her first at welterweight.

Ryan has far less experience in the pro ranks, with just eight fights and six wins, but she says her confidence has grown rapidly since fighting McCaskill.

"I'd say Jess is more of a threat to me than Harper is," she says.

"I'm the better fighter, all round. It's not cocky, I just feel confident.

"I respect Terri, she is a great fighter but I believe I'm better."