WBO world lightweight champion Terri Harper consistently adapts her training methods, though the sport of boxing itself seems less eager to embrace change.
For the past few years, the 28-year-old has integrated tracking her menstrual cycle into each training camp, ensuring she reaches her championship weight safely and efficiently.
Naturally, there are specific times each month when her weight fluctuates, primarily due to water retention. This adds additional complexity to an already demanding process.
Despite this, Harper, who holds a record of 15-2-2 (6 KOs) and competes below the heavyweight division, must overcome these obstacles. She avoids making excuses or being labeled `unprofessional` if the scales don`t show the desired numbers.
Harper shared that there are periods during training camp when her weight remains steady, and she knows this is related to her menstrual cycle.
She also noted that her performance in the gym varies. Some weeks she might feel a bit flat, while in others she experiences a remarkable surge of energy.
She described it as a process of learning more about herself and her body, understanding how she responds at different points throughout the month.
Harper stated that she has always successfully made weight and has never used her menstrual cycle as an excuse. She emphasized that it`s about making small adjustments to accurately hit the target weight.
Drawing a parallel to women`s football, where some studies link knee injuries to menstrual cycles, Harper believes significantly more research is needed on this topic in sports.
The general lack of comprehensive research into how menstrual cycles affect athletes has largely resulted in a stagnant situation within the sports world.
However, while boxing lags behind in implementing changes or initiating conversations around certain issues, professional football is at least making progress in accelerating these discussions.
FIFA, football`s international governing body, has committed funds to research whether hormonal shifts during menstrual cycles could be a factor in the increasing number of ACL injuries in women`s football.
In contrast, a similar proactive approach is largely absent in boxing, where governing bodies could potentially do more, even if only by initiating discussions.
Nevertheless, Harper herself is open about discussing her challenges with weight management.
She admitted she might “overshare at times” but feels it`s important to educate her coaches, who are “a bit old-school,” just as she is educating herself, acknowledging the complexity involved.
Harper mentioned she uses the Flo app to help track her menstrual cycle. She noted she`s relatively new to using it, having only done so for the past few training camps, but has found it beneficial so far.
Ahead of her upcoming title defense against unbeaten contender Natalie Zimmermann in Doncaster on May 23, Harper will follow her established weight-cutting process.
Unlike her previous attempts to make super-featherweight, the Yorkshire fighter, who has competed at higher divisions more recently, feels significantly more refreshed and comfortable at 135 lbs (lightweight).
Harper recalled the extreme difficulty of making 130 lbs, stating she could “absolutely no way” return to super-featherweight.
She finds lightweight much more manageable to reach, despite it being only five pounds heavier.
At 135 lbs, she isn`t “killing herself” for the weight, even while adhering to a strict 12-week diet and nutrition plan. She highlighted the importance of properly fueling her body and entering the ring well-rehydrated, potentially with a weight advantage.
