Katie Taylor vs Delfine Persoon II on August 22
The biggest rematch in the history of women's boxing has been confirmed.
The biggest rematch in women's boxing history has been confirmed for Matchroom Fight Camp. Katie Taylor will defend her WBC, WBA, IBF, WBO and Ring Magazine Lightweight World titles against Delfine Persoon on Saturday August 22, live on Sky Sports Box Office and DAZN.
Taylor (15-0, 6 KOs) completed her fairytale journey from Olympic gold to undisputed lightweight world champion with a thrilling but highly controversial points win over Belgium's Persoon on a historic night at the world-famous Madison Square Garden ahead of the first meeting between Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz last year.
After a bloody and brutal fight that mesmerised the New York crowd, the Irish star added Persoon's WBC belt to her IBF, WBO and WBA titles to keep all four at 135 pounds and cement her place as the number one lightweight on the planet.
Persoon (44-2, 18 KOs) held the WBC belt for five years, making nine successful defences in that time, before losing it to Taylor in the fight of the year. Despite losing on two of the judges' scorecards, Persoon was convinced she had won after ten rounds of relentless action and has been campaigning 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 everyone wants to see," Taylor said. "I've been looking forward to a rematch since the first fight and I'm glad it's being made now. It was definitely very close the first time, but I felt I deserved the win and I intend to leave no doubts in the rematch. "
Persoon said: "I'm ready to get the win after the injustice last June in New York, not by words but in the ring - I'm ready!"
"Impressive! What a fight - what a night! To be honest, I can't quite believe this fight was fought like this. I can't pay enough tribute to Katie and Delfine to agree 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 again and now we have it. I'm very proud to be hosting this fight especially at such a critical time for our sport - along with Whyte v Povetkin, August 22 will be one to remember. "