No Fans, No Problem
The day was June 1, 2019. In front of an enthusiastic crowd at the famous Madison Square Garden Arena, Katie “KT” Taylor (15-0,6 ko) became the undisputed female lightweight champion by defeating then-WBC champion Delfine Persoon (44-2, 18ko).
It was an exciting fight where both champions laid it all out. Still, the match ended in controversy with many pundits feeling that the Belgian WBC champion should have gotten the nod. Furthermore, Persoon immediately wanted to file an appeal of the decision with the WBC organization, vividly upset and disappointed with the outcome of the fight. However, the former champion openly admitted to believing that a knockout was necessary to win because of a potential robbery by the judges.
REDEMPTION
Well, as fate would have it, Persoon is getting a chance at regaining her belt and becoming undisputed. Recently, Puerto Rican female seven-divisional champion Amanda “The Real Deal” Serrano up and ghosted the mega-fight with the undisputed champion. The move opened a door for the rematch that many believe is a worthy replacement bout considering the memorable performance from their first encounter. Moreover, due to the recent pandemic, the fight won’t be in front of fans. Although, it seems to suit both women just fine.
During a live press conference hosted by British promoter Eddie Hearn called The Rival, they expressed how no fans are no problem. The former WBC champion felt that it’s more of an issue with her rival Taylor.
“For me, I think it is the same because in New York, how do you say it, not the same supporters of Belgium than Irish people that are there. I think the big difference is going to be for Katie. In New York she got, because it’s a colony of, how do you say it, Ireland people nearby New York.”
“You got a lot of Irish people to support of her. Now she don’t have the support of, how do you say it, of the people of her country. With people or without people, you have to do the fight, and for me, it makes no difference.”
~ Delfine Persoon
Taylor’s response did away with any notion that not having supporters in attendance will be a problem.
“It doesn’t make any difference to me. I think regardless of you’re boxing in front of 10 people or 10,000 people, you’re going in there to outbox your opponent to outfight your opponent. So it definitely wouldn’t make any difference to me and I am so used to this from being in the amateur game for so long. I’ve boxed in arenas without people for years and years as an amateur fighter. This is going to be no difference for me. I’m going in there to win the fight, to win the fight convincingly with or without a crowd.”
~ Katie Taylor
By: Garrisson Bland
