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
Callum Smith vs Hassan N'Dam round one:
Smith delivers a brutal left hook and it knocks N'Dam down, had there been more than 10 seconds left of the round he'd have finished this fight off.
N'Dam was coming forward left himself wide open, with Smith able to throw a heavy left to the chin which sent the French Cameroonian straight to the canvas.
Callum Smith vs Hassan N'Dam round two:
Smith lands an identical punch which again sends N'Dam to the floor. He gets up quickly and looks to put some punches together but the sheer skill and power of Smith is too much.
The Liverpool fighter is essentially using only his left hand in this fight and doesn't really need any more than that. He's taking his time and getting some rounds in, into the third we go.
Callum Smith vs Hassan N'Dam round three:
FIGHT OVER!
N'Dam is knocked over for a third time and this time it's heavy. He gets to his feet but is unsteady and unable to convince the ref of his ability to carry on. The bout is waved off. Smith makes a successful first defence of his WBA belt.
Recap: N'Dam attempted to come forward and went to throw a jab but left himself wide open and Smith made him pay, landing a heavy straight right to which N'Dam had no answer.
26 wins, 19 knockouts for Smith now. A great performance at the Garden.
Right! It'll be a little while yet, but the main event is all that's left.
Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz is next. Stay tuned.
Callum Smith
It's been a long time out of the ring. Tonight was all about the performance: a win against N'Dam doesn't get the eyes but a win like that does. A fight at MSG doesn't come around often and I had to take it when it did. There's four world champions, this belt [Ring magazine] says I'm the best. You'll see how good I am when you put me in the top, top fights.
Rob McCracken speaking backstage on Anthony Joshua
He's driven, he's experienced. He's ambitious and wants to achieve things, Andy Ruiz wants to achieve things and it's going to be a tough fight tonight. He'll [Ruiz] try to get in and use his jab, you've got to use your reach and go to the side, get out of the way of him. He [Joshua] has to start better than he did against Povetkin.
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