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Confirmed: Taylor-Persoon rematch set for Hearn's back garden

Katie Taylor will meet Delfine Persoon next month in a rematch of their contentious lightweight t...



Confirmed: Taylor-Persoon rema...
Off The Couch

Confirmed: Taylor-Persoon rematch set for Hearn's back garden

Katie Taylor will meet Delfine Persoon next month in a rematch of their contentious lightweight title bout. 

Taylor had originally been set to defend her undisputed lightweight titles against Amanda Serrano in May.

However, a combination of the COVID-19 crisis and a fight over fight purse had seen even the new date of August 22 become unworkable.

Taylor is scheduled to fight on the fourth instalment of Eddie Hearn's Fight Camp which will all be staged in the garden of his Essex estate.

With Serrano preferring the lure of a reality TV payday, a rematch with Persoon has been on the bubble.

Hearn confirmed the rematch with Persoon on Thursday afternoon.

"With Amanda Serrano not taking the fight, I wanted the biggest fight possible in August, and I think a second Persoon fight is one that everyone wants to see," the Bray fighter said.

"I've been looking forward to a rematch ever since the first fight and I'm delighted it's been made. It was definitely very close first time around, but I felt I deserved the win and I intend to leave no doubts in the rematch."

Taylor beat Persoon by majority decision at Madison Square Garden in June 2019, a result that's still contested by many to this day.

Persoon is relishing another crack at Taylor, "I am ready to get the victory following the injustice last June in New York.

"Not by words, but in the ring - I am ready!"

Doubt was sewn regarding the rematch on Thursday when Tampere told the Irish Independent, "We had a deal, but now we don't have a deal and Delfine will not be fighting Katie Taylor.

"Eddie Hearn is a very difficult man to deal with it. He keeps changing what we had agreed. Delfine has said enough is enough."

It seems squabbles between Hearn and Tampere have been ironed out.

Following confirmation of the rematch, Hearn said, "To be honest I can't quite believe this fight has been made. I can't give enough credit to Katie and Delfine for agreeing to do it again.

"Since their epic 'Fight of the Year' contender at Madison Square Garden last year, everyone has wanted to see this once again and now we have it.

"I'm very proud to stage this fight, especially at such a critical time for our sport - along with Whyte vs Povetkin, August 22 will be one not to forget."

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Boxing Delfine Persoon Eddie Hearn Fight Camp Katie Taylor