Taylor-Persoon II replaces Taylor-Serrano on Aug. 22nd

Matchroom Press Release

10/07/2020

Taylor-Persoon II replaces Taylor-Serrano on Aug. 22nd

The biggest rematch in the history of women’s boxing has been confirmed for Matchroom Fight Camp. [With Amanda Serrano out of the picture], Katie Taylor will defend her world lightweight championship against Delfine Persoon on Saturday August 22nd, live on Sky Sports Box Office. [As with the first, controversial Taylor-Persoon fight, all four major belts will be at stake]. Taylor (15-0, 6 KOs) completed her fairy-tale journey from Olympic Gold to undisputed world  champion with a thrilling but controversial points win over Belgium’s Persoon on a historical night at New York City's Madison Square Garden on the Joshua vs. Ruiz bill last year. [Boxingtalk scored that fight 96-94 for Persoon].
 
With the narrow decision following a bloody battle, the Irish star added Persoon’s WBC belt to her IBF, WBO and WBA titles. The 34 year-old Taylor went on to create more history in November when she dethroned WBO 140-pound title holder Christina Linardatou to become a two-weight 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.
 
[EDITOR'S NOTE: Persoon's last fight was a loss... she went back to the amateurs to try to qualify for the 2021 Olympics, where she lost her opening bout in the European qualifying tournament Nikoleta Peta.]
 
“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!”
 
Promoter Eddie Hearn said, “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 [the heavyweight fight between] Dillian Whyte and Alexander Povetkin [on the same show], August 22nd 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 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) has a welterweight bout vs. Chris Kongo (11-0, 6 KOs).