Undisputed lightweight champion Katie Taylor has vowed to settle her score with Belgian rival Delfine Persoon once and for all at Matchroom’s Fight Camp this Saturday (August 22).
In June 2019, Ireland’s Taylor defeated a spirited Persoon via majority decision after 10 thrilling rounds that divided opinion and prompted fierce debate in boxing circles.
Persoon (44-2, 18 KOs) lost her WBC crown that night in Madison Square Garden and has called for a rematch ever since. When original opponent Amanda Serrano withdrew after a contractual dispute, Taylor (15-0, 6 KOs) was more than happy to oblige as she seeks to cement her place among the greats of women’s boxing.
“I’m in this sport to create history and leave a great legacy,” said Taylor. “These are the kind of fights that are going to leave a great legacy in my career. The first fight was too close for my liking. It has been hanging over my head over the last year, so I was delighted when the rematch was nailed down. I’m looking forward to putting on a more dominant performance on August 22 and shutting up everyone that has criticised me over the last year.
“I did watch the fight back and it was obviously a very close fight. That’s why there is a rematch. I definitely couldn’t have given her more than five rounds, so for people to say it was a disgraceful decision or it was a robbery, is a disgrace in itself. I felt like I deserved to win the fight even though it was very close. I wanted this rematch. At the end of the day, I want to be involved in the biggest fights and the fights that people are interested in. This is a huge fight for me and for Persoon. It’s a huge fight for the sport.
“I think I’m going to be a completely different fighter on August 22. I think people are going to see a completely different performance and a completely different fight from my perspective. I got drawn into a bit of a fight in the first one and sometimes that happens. I’m definitely going to be a bit more disciplined in this fight. I’m going to be ready for whatever Persoon throws at me. I’m completely prepared for this fight. I’ve been training for a big fight since January so I’m more than ready to step in and put on a dominant performance.”
World champion Taylor is currently a 3/10 favourite at Betfred with Persoon available at 3-1. The draw is 12-1.
Taylor-Persoon 2 will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Box Office on Saturday in the UK. The show is headlined by the WBC Diamond heavyweight title fight between Dillian Whyte and Alexander Povetkin.
Main image: Katie Taylor arrives at Fight Camp. Photo: Mark Robinson/Matchroom.