It will take ‘heart and a great chin’ to defeat Delfine Persoon and become the undisputed lightweight champion, according to Katie Taylor.
Taylor (32) will put her IBF, WBA, and WBO belts on the line against the WBC champion when she fights Delfine Persoon on the undercard of Anthony Joshua’s heavyweight title defence against Andy Ruiz Jr., at Madison Square Garden on Saturday night.
Should she pass her sternest test to date, Taylor will become just the third female boxer, and first-ever Irish female boxer, to hold all four titles in her weight-class.
While she has long-established herself as one of the finest boxers fighting today, Taylor will face her toughest battle yet when she takes on Persoon, who has held the WBC belt since 2014, and has lost just once in 44 fights; coming in 2010, 18 months after turning professional.
Speaking about the bout, the Olympic gold medallist said that she was focused on the task that lay in front of her on Saturday night.
“I am very focused this weekend. When I step into the ring, I will do whatever it takes. I know what to expect,” she told Sky Sports.
“She is a long-reigning champion. I understand how big the challenge is, but I feel well-prepared. This fight will involve heart and a great chin, and I have both in abundance.
“The opportunity to become undisputed champion is what boxers dream of. The ultimate challenge.”
Watch Katie Taylor vs Delfine Persoon on the Joshua vs Ruiz Jr undercard at Madison Square Garden, New York on Saturday, live on Sky Sports Box Office, from 10pm.
