Katie Taylor: Delfine Persoon would be toughest opponent yet, but I want to make history

Irish superstar Katie Taylor has three of the lightweight titles (IBF, WBA, and WBO), and it’s already well-known that she wants to add the fourth and final of the recognized belts at 135 pounds, the WBC title held by long-reigning Delfine Persoon of Belgium.

That fight is being discussed for the June 1 Joshua-Miller card at Madison Square Garden, and Taylor (13-0, 6 KO), who has frankly all but waltzed her way to the first three belts, doesn’t expect Persoon (43-1, 18 KO) to be an easy fight.

From Sky Sports:

“She’s going to be my toughest opponent to date. She’s been a reigning champion for years now, she’s been in the pound-for-pound rankings for years as well, so she’s a fantastic champion. That fight has been talked about for over a year now so that’s going to be an absolute super fight. She’s a great champion, she’s very, very fit. It could be a really physical fight. It’s definitely going to be the toughest fight of my career and I am taking it that seriously.”

The 34-year-old Persoon won her belt back in 2014, and has successfully defend it on nine occasions, most recently beating Melissa St. Vil on March 9 in Kortrijk.

But as successful as Persoon has been, Taylor would be a real step up for her, too. Taylor is a well-schooled amateur, really a legend of the amateur ranks, and as mentioned, has completely dominated since turning pro. She’s turned out to be simply on another level than her opponents thus far.

It’s an interesting fight, the best fight that can be made at 135 pounds, the clear top two fighters for all the marbles. If Taylor were to beat Persoon, there are other challenges that may await, including seven-division champion Amanda Serrano and welterweight and pound-for-pound queen Cecilia Braekhus. Taylor says she’s in the fight game to make history, and so far she’s lived up to that.