Katie Taylor requested a rematch against Delfine Persoon to clear up any controversy - and promoter Eddie Hearn is 'working hard' to finalise the fight for August 22.
Ireland's undisputed lightweight champion shared a breathtaking battle with Persoon last June, emerging with a points win that was hotly disputed by the Belgian, and Taylor has now called for a second fight to be staged on the Dillian Whyte-Alexander Povetkin bill, live on Sky Sports Box Office.
Matchroom Boxing boss Hearn has opened talks with Persoon after being frustrated in his attempts to secure the Amanda Serrano fight and is optimistic that Taylor will receive an eagerly anticipated return bout.
"We are working hard on the Taylor versus Persoon rematch for August 22," Hearn told Sky Sports.
"Katie wants the biggest fights out there and when Serrano pulled out, Katie immediately asked about the Persoon rematch.
"The first fight was one of the best I've ever seen live and as a fan I would love to see it again. Whyte versus Povetkin and Taylor versus Persoon 2 is an epic double header - let's see if we can get it done."
Martin Bakole faces Sergey Kuzmin in another must-win heavyweight clash on the undercard, while Luther Clay also takes on Chris Kongo in a clash of two highly-rated British welterweights.
The biggest rematch in the history of women’s boxing has been confirmed for Matchroom Fight Camp as Katie Taylor defends her WBC, WBA, IBF, WBO and Ring Magazine Lightweight World Titles against Delfine Persoon on Saturday August 22, live on Sky Sports Box Office.
Taylor (15-0, 6 KOs) completed her fairy-tale journey from Olympic Gold to Undisputed Lightweight World Champion with a thrilling but controversial points win over Belgium’s Persoon on a historical night at the world-famous Madison Square Garden on the Joshua vs. Ruiz bill last year.
After a bloody and brutal battle that captivated the New York crowd, the Irish star added Persoon’s WBC belt to her IBF, WBO and WBA Titles to hold all four at 135lbs and cement her place as the number one Lightweight on the planet.
The 34-year-old went on to create more history at Manchester Arena in November when she dethroned WBO Super-Lightweight World Champion Christina Linardatou to become a two-weight World ruler – becoming only the third Irish boxer to win World Titles in two weight classes.
Persoon (44-2, 18 KOs) held the WBC strap for five years, making nine successful defences in that reign, before losing it to Taylor in a Fight of the Year contender. Despite losing on two of the judges’ scorecards, Persoon was convinced she’d won after ten rounds of relentless action and has been lobbying for a rematch ever since.
“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 said: “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!”
“Wow! What a fight – what a night! To be honest I can’t quite believe this fight has been made, I can’t give enough credit to Katie and Delfine for agreeing to do it again,” said Eddie Hearn. “Since their epic Fight of the Year contender at MSG last year, everyone has wanted to see this once again and now we have it. I’m very proud to stage this fight especially at such a critical time for our sport – along with Whyte vs. Povetkin August 22 will be one not to forget.”
Adam Smith, Sky Sports Head of Boxing Development, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to confirm Katie Taylor’s eagerly awaited rematch against Delfine Persoon, with all the World Lightweight Titles on the line. Katie has called for a second fight ever since that thrilling first encounter when she received the verdict, much to the dismay of Persoon.
“They go again on the Whyte-Povetkin bill, which just got even bigger, and Katie will be determined to end any dispute with a resounding win. I’ve been speaking to Katie over the last few days and she’s more fired up than ever to show once again why she is a pound-for-pound star of the sport.
“Of course, we’ve also got Whyte’s high stakes showdown against Povetkin, with Dillian risking his WBC Mandatory Title shot. It’s repeat or revenge for Taylor and then Heavyweight fireworks in a fitting finale to Matchroom’s Fight Camp!”
Taylor vs. Persoon lands on the final week of Matchroom Fight Camp as Dillian Whyte (27-1, 18 KOs) puts his WBC Interim Heavyweight World Title on the line against Russia’s Alexander Povetkin (35-2-1, 24 KOs) in a battle of the left hooks, Martin Bakole (15-1, 12 KOs) returns to the ring against Russia’s Sergey Kuzmin (15-1, 11 KOs) and Luther Clay (13-1, 5 KOs) defends his WBO Global Welterweight Title against Chris Kongo (11-0, 6 KOs).
Kinda funny though, Persoon gets a hard shake the first time in new yawk, but now has the chance to put things right fighting KT in Eddeh's garden lol. Gotta get back on the boxrec homepage delf!!
Good fight, KT has more skills to her but I thought big Delf won the first time and Katie gives me sort of a she gonna lose soon vibe. Tbh, I could see them as a compatible couple.
Are we talking who actually wins the fight or who gets the verdict? I see it the going a similar way to last time, Taylor gets beat in a close decision, but the judges want to tickle her fanny so she'll win on points in another Eddie special
Tbh, Katester has been looking a bit ragged for a bit, not really sure she's the one with the upward changes, though with the fight happening in her promoter's garden I'd expect she'd get the benefit of the doubt again if need be
margaret thatcher wrote: ↑23 Jul 2020, 13:30
Tbh, Katester has been looking a bit ragged for a bit, not really sure she's the one with the upward changes, though with the fight happening in her promoter's garden I'd expect she'd get the benefit of the doubt again if need be
You make an interesting point madam. I’m predicting a more defensive Taylor although perhaps that will benefit Persoon.
Katie Taylor: I Wanted Persoon Rematch Straight Away After First Fight
"I’m very grateful. Obviously the last few months I’ve been training hard for a huge fight with Serrano,” Ireland’s Taylor (15-0, 6KOs) noted during a virtual press conference on Matchroom Boxing’s social media channel to promote the event. “Obviously, that fight fell through and the only fight that made sense was the Persoon rematch.
“The last fight was a huge fight. It was very close and is a fight that is deserving of a rematch. This is a fight that I’ve been looking forward to since that first fight. It’s the biggest fight in women’s boxing right now.”
“This is a fight I wanted straight away, really, after the first fight,” Taylor insisted. “I only want to be involved in big fights. I love the big fights, I love this challenge. This is the reason I’m in the sport of boxing at the end of the day. You can’t miss out on these opportunities.
“This is a huge fight. This is what I was made for, this is what I waited for. This is a fight I’ve always wanted.”
“I think both fights are huge fights. I won’t say I’m any more motivated for this fight. I’m ready for this fight,” notes Taylor. “We’ve been preparing since January for a big, big fight.
“These are the big fights that I was born, for that I was made for.”
