After her fight with seven-weight world champion Amanda Serrano fell through due to contractual issues, Irish star Katie Taylor could barely have landed a better replacement with the announcement she will meet old rival Delfine Persoon in Matchroom’s Fight Camp finale on August 22.
In June 2019, Taylor edged the Belgian on the scorecards in an exhilarating unification fight at Madison Square Garden on the night Andy Ruiz Jr. upset Anthony Joshua. After dropping a hotly-debated majority decision, Persoon (44-2, 18 KOs) has been lobbying for a rematch ever since.
Taylor (15-0, 6 KOs) will now defend her WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO lightweight titles against the Belgian battler, live on Sky Sports Box Office in the UK.
“With Amanda Serrano not taking the fight I wanted the biggest fight possible in August and I think a second Persoon fight is one that everyone wants to see,” said Taylor. “I’ve been looking forward to a rematch ever since the first fight and I’m delighted it’s been made. It was definitely very close first time around, but I felt I deserved the win and I intend to leave no doubts in the rematch.”
Persoon added: “I am ready to get the victory following the injustice last June in New York, not by words but in the ring – I am ready!”