Katie Taylor’s rematch with Delfine Persoon on Saturday’s Whyte-Povetkin card, which streams live on DAZN and airs on Sky Box Office in the UK, is sort of an odd one. Taylor (15-0, 6 KO) won the first fight with Persoon (44-2, 18 KO) in June 2019, but many felt that the Belgian underdog had earned the win.
Because of that, the 34-year-old Taylor is coming into this rematch almost with a challenger’s mindset, and not with the approach of an undisputed lightweight champion, which is what she is. It won’t be “revenge” if Taylor wins again on Saturday, but she sees it as a chance to settle any debate about her and Persoon.
“I’m in this sport to create history and leave a great legacy,” said Taylor. “These are the kind of fights that are going to leave a great legacy in my career. The first fight was too close for my liking. It has been hanging over my head over the last year, so I was delighted when the rematch was nailed down. I’m looking forward to putting on a more dominant performance on August 22nd and shutting up everyone that has criticized me over the last year.”
Taylor admits the first fight was close, but believes she deserved the victory.
“I did watch the fight back and it was obviously a very close fight. That’s why there is a rematch,” she said. “I definitely couldn’t have given her more than five rounds, so for people to say it was a disgraceful decision or it was a robbery, is a disgrace in itself. I felt like I deserved to win the fight even though it was very close. I wanted this rematch. At the end of the day, I want to be involved in the biggest fights and the fights that people are interested in. This is a huge fight for me and for Persoon. It’s a huge fight for the sport.
“I think I’m going to be a completely different fighter on August 22nd. I think people are going to see a completely different performance and a completely different fight from my perspective. I got drawn into a bit of a fight in the first one and sometimes that happens. I’m definitely going to be a bit more disciplined in this fight. I’m going to be ready for whatever Persoon throws at me. I’m completely prepared for this fight. I’ve been training for a big fight since January so I’m more than ready to step in and put on a dominant performance.”