Katie Taylor will take on Delfine Persoon for the undisputed women’s boxing lightweight championship on June 1st in the undercard of Anthony Joshua’s next title defense at New York’s fabled Madison Square Garden.
Taylor is the highly decorated amateur fighter from Bray in Wicklow, Ireland. The 32-year old Bray Bomber won the gold medal in the 2012 Olympic Games. Taylor also won gold in the lightweight division at the World Championships in 2006,2008, 2010 and 2012. She was also the bronze medalist in the 2014 World Championships.
After a storied amateur career, Taylor turned pro and captured the vacant WBA female lightweight title in only her 7th fight. She annexed the IBF and WBO belts in her succeeding fights and with the WBC and Ring titles on the line on June 1st, she will aim to become the undisputed women’s lightweight boxing champion of the world.
Taylor stands 5-5 tall with a reach of 65 inches while fighting out of the orthodox stance. Taylor has a professional boxing record of 13-0 with 6 knockouts. In her most recent outing last March 15, 2019, Taylor knocked out Brazil’s Rose Volante to win the IBF women’s lightweight boxing title.
Belgian boxing star Persoon has held the WBC belt since 2014 and she has made nine straight successful title defenses, including five by stoppage. A railway policewoman by profession, the 34-year old Persoon will be fighting for the first time outside of Europe as she also has her eyes set on becoming undisputed champion and the first ever Ring women’s lightweight champion.
While Persoon doesn’t have the amateur pedigree of Taylor, she is considered as the Irishwoman’s toughest fight to date. That’s because Persoon has been world champion for the last five years and she’s been involved in a total of 14 world title fights in her professional boxing career.
Delfine Persoon’s height and reach are unlisted but she is an orthodox fighter with a professional record of 43-1 with 18 knockouts. In her last fight last March 19, 2019 in Belgium, Persoon retired American-Haitian Melissa St. Vil after seven rounds for her 9th straight title defense.
Taylor has acknowledged that Persoon is her toughest opponent to date. Not only is the Belgian a veteran of 14 world title fights, she has fought thrice as many bouts as Taylor has as a professional. Nine straight title defenses is no fluke and that speaks of Persoon’s pedigree as a pound for pound fighter.
Persoon is an excellent boxer and in all of her fights, she imposes her ability to box on her opponents, making them adjust to her style of fighting. She’s a very crafty veteran who uses her jab well and throws some nice combinations while piling up the points. When her opponent gets confused, she also had decent power and has scored 18 career knockouts.
Taylor is a special fighter. Her deep amateur background has allowed her to fully develop her technical boxing skills. Not only that, she is also very athletic and physically gifted. Taylor also has the mindset of a fighter and has natural punching power. She will go for the kill if the opportunity presents itself.
Comparing both fighters, Persoon has the edge in experience with twice as many world title fights and thrice as many professional bouts as Taylor. However, given her amateur background, Taylor has probably also seen every style there is just as Persooon bring the same as her edge over her opponents.
When it comes to fighting style, I think Taylor could have the edge because Persoon is used to dictating her style on her opponents while we’ve seen Taylor able to adjust to her opponent’s style in between fights. My concern is if Taylor imposes her will, Persoon might struggle in finding her rhythm.
No doubt Delfine Persoon is an excellent champion and a top pound for pound fighter. But Katie Taylor is like those fighter who come once in a lifetime. She is a special talent and continues to develop. She’s in her prime and she’s hungry for that undisputed title. I think he adaptability wins her two or three rounds more than Persoon. It won’t be easy but it won’t be controversial as well.
Katie Taylor wins this by unanimous decision.
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