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Taylor took a narrow decision over Persoon in their June 2019 clash for undisputed status
Life gave Matchroom Boxing lemons and they’ve successfully made lemonade. With Amanda Serrano off the table, undisputed lightweight champion Katie Taylor is officially set to rematch Delfine Persoon on the August 22nd Fight Camp finale headlined by Dillian Whyte vs Alexander Povetkin.
Eddie Hearn mentioned that they were working on putting the matchup together earlier this week.
“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.”
“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!” Persoon added.
Persoon (44-2, 18 KO) remains the biggest blemish on Taylor’s (15-0, 6 KO) otherwise impeccable résumé, brawling the Irish standout to a controversial decision loss in June of last year. Rather than immediately pursue the rematch, Taylor moved up to 140 pounds and defeated Christina Linardatou for the WBO belt. Persoon, meanwhile, bounced back with a decision over upcoming Top Rank co-headliner Helen Joseph and made an unsuccessful bid to compete at Tokyo 20201, falling in the opening round of the qualifiers.
This was the best possible replacement for Taylor-Serrano, and props to both Persoon and Taylor for lacing them up a second time. Taylor could have very easily continued to rise in weight and pursued a clash with Cecilia Braekhus, but she’s willingly facing her toughest trial again.
