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
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Your support makes all the difference.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
Katie Taylor vs Delfine Persoon round one:
Persoon lunges in with her jab but can't quite find her range, with Taylor's meticulous defence giving her the advantage so far.
Katie Taylor vs Delfine Persoon round one:
Persoon lunges in with her jab but can't quite find her range, with Taylor's meticulous defence giving her the advantage so far.
Katie Taylor vs Delfine Persoon round two:
Much, much better from Persoon who is making a fight of this and wins the second. She is having a good go and her constant willingness to attack is working with success. 1-1.
Katie Taylor vs Delfine Persoon round three:
Persoon is showing her vast professional experience here, not allowing Taylor to get to work at all and smothering the Irishwoman.
2-1 Persoon.
Katie Taylor vs Delfine Persoon round four:
Taylor isn't really gaining any momentum here, she's trying to throw too many combinations all at once rather than setting them up with the jab. Persoon failed to land much in that round, could she be tiring after a relentless first three rounds?
I'd give that one to Taylor. 2-2.
Katie Taylor vs Delfine Persoon round five:
Taylor's movement and plan far, far better in the fifth. Well, things started that way anyway. She then engaged Persoon far too much and got involved in an absolute slugfest. What a fight!
Taylor is best when she is moving and leading with the jab but she is engaging and enjoying herself, to the crowd's delight.
I'm struggling to give that round a winner, 10-10.
Katie Taylor vs Delfine Persoon round six:
Taylor listened to her trainer that round and got back to her boxing ability, keeping away from Persoon and tiring the Belgian out. A classy round as she let her jab do the talking.
Taylor round.
Katie Taylor vs Delfine Persoon round seven:
It's Persoon who has the better round this time, impressing with her jab and showing off her boxing skills.
Seventh to Persoon, whose eye is as swollen as you will ever see an eye.
Katie Taylor vs Delfine Persoon round eight:
For a seasoned veteran, Persoon is absolutely non stop and I have to apologise for saying she looked tired earlier.
She is catching Taylor time and time again, a fantastic round from Persoon who wins that round.
I gave that one to Persoon. Tight going into the last couple of rounds.
Katie Taylor vs Delfine Persoon round nine:
Taylor realises she might not have this in the bag and absolutely goes for it! She lands heavily on Persoon's chin with the best shot of the fight.
She is digging deeper than she will ever have had to in her career.
I give the ninth round to Katie Taylor. This is SO close. What a war.
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