Katie Taylor in the changing room ahead of her fight against Delphine Person at Madison Square Garden on June 1, 2019. INPHO/MATCHROOM/MARK ROBINSON
Former World champion Delfine Persoon has offered to fight Katie Taylor in August following Amanda Serrano’s decision to pull out of her much anticipated showdown against the Bray boxer. Persoon, the former WBC lightweight champion, surrendered her belt on a controversial split decision to Taylor in Madison Square Gardens 13 months ago. Persoon’s manager Filep Tampere said: ‘‘Delfine is willing to take on Taylor on Aug. 15.’’
Delfine Persoon having her hands wrapped ahead of last year's fight. INPHO/MATCHROOM/MARK ROBINSON
Taylor has consistently said she wants another fight against the 35-year old Belgian police inspector. But Tampere remains doubtful about whether his boxer will ever get a second chance against the unbeaten Taylor. “So far I haven’t heard from promoter Eddie Hearn and I doubt if we will ever get a rematch,’’ added Tamper.
Persoon’s career took a new twist at the start of the year when she registered again as an amateur fighter to pursue a long-term ambition to represent Belgium at the now-postponed Olympic Games in Tokyo. But it’s unlikely that she will be chosen to replace Amanda Serrano for the fight which is scheduled to take in a specially-constructed arena in the back garden of Eddie Hearn’s Essex estate on Aug. 15.
