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As it happenedended

Katie Taylor vs Delfine Persoon fight result: Irish boxer battles to brutal but controversial victory

Irishwoman defeats Persoon by majority decision to add the WBC title to the WBO, IBF and WBA championships she already holds

Adam Hamdani
Friday 31 May 2019 21:43 EDT
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Anthony Joshua v Andy Ruiz Weigh in at Madison Square Garden

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Katie Taylor claimed a controversial and brutal victory over Delfine Persoon to become the undisputed lightweight champion.

In what was a full-blooded and at times barbaric affair, Taylor and Persoon left nothing in the tank as they finished the fight out on their feet, having produced arguably the best 10 rounds of women's boxing ever seen.

But when the scores went to the judges, it was Taylor who was left celebrating as she took a majority decision via scorecards of 116-114, 116-114 and 115-115 to claim the WBC, WBA, WBO and IBF lightweight championships. Persoon on the other hand was distraught with the decision and immediately left the ring in tears. Re-live all the action below.

Fight preview:

When and where is the boxing?

Tonight's main event ring walk times are expected around 3.30am UK time, and 10.30pm ET. The fight night takes place at Madison Square Garden, New York City.

Taylor's fight is third-last on the card, and shouldn’t start any earlier than 1am.

Where can I watch it?

If you're in the UK, it'll be on Sky Sports Box Office at a price of £19.95, and in the US on DAZN.

What is the full fight card?

It's a stacked one.

  • Souleymane Cissoko bt Wladimir Hernandez
  • Chris Algieri bt Tommy Coyle
  • Joshua Buatsi vs Marc Antonio Periban
  • Josh Kelly vs Ray Robinson
  • Katie Taylor vs Delfine Persoon
  • Callum Smith vs Hassan N'Dam
  • Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz

What are the odds?

Joshua to win: 1/25

Ruiz to win: 10/1

Tyson Fury speaks out on Anthony Joshua's first ever defeat. 

Adam Hamdani2 June 2019 04:37

Andy Ruiz might have some demands this time around.

Adam Hamdani2 June 2019 04:41

George Foreman with some truth.

Adam Hamdani2 June 2019 04:47
Adam Hamdani2 June 2019 05:02

Our man Declan Taylor was ringside for that fight.

Read his full fight report for The Independent.

Adam Hamdani2 June 2019 05:05

Tyson Fury sent a message to Anthony Joshua post-fight and was perhaps surprisingly positive.

Adam Hamdani2 June 2019 05:22

Eddie Hearn speaking at the post-fight press conference:

Ruiz won fair and square. The next mandatory is the WBO, and I've already spoken to them. The rematch takes precedent. I believe all the belts will be on the line.

Adam Hamdani2 June 2019 05:37

Eddie Hearn speaking at the post-fight press conference:

I'm sure there will be lots of people who are delighted AJ lost tonight but Deontay Wilder has zero class for kicking Joshua while he is down.

Adam Hamdani2 June 2019 05:41

What a sight.

Is an undisputed fight against Deontay Wilder on the horizon?

Adam Hamdani2 June 2019 05:43

Andy Ruiz in the post-fight press conference:

They overlooked me, the other guys - Wilder and Fury - we got the win and I'm really happy. Everything is possible, never give up, keep working. We just made history. It's down to the way I look that people underestimate me.

Adam Hamdani2 June 2019 05:45

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