As futile as comparing Keaton and Affleck – Linardatou dismisses Persoon comparisons

Comparing how November 2nd opponents Katie Taylor and Christina Linardatou did in their respective fights with Delfine Persoon is as futile as comparing Michael Keaton and Ben Affleck’s performances as Batman, according to the colourful WBO light welterweight world champion.

The Greece-based Domincan Republic-born ‘Medusa’ will put her title on the line against the undisputed lightweight champion of the world at the top of a Manchester Arena-hosted DAZN and Sky Sports Matchroom card this Saturday.

The Brian Cohen-managed, Lou DiBella-promoted 31-year-old was always top of list that included the likes of Persoon, Amanda Serrano and Jessica McCaskill when it came to predicting who Taylor would fight next in recent weeks.

Indeed, Linardatou [12(6)-1(0)] confirmed to Irish-Boxing.com that an offer had been turned down for financail reasons during the Summer.

With time to do their homework on a fighter, whose first defense and most recent fight was against Dennis Hogan’s DDP stable mate DeeDee Hobbs, fans raised the issue of common opponent.

Both the Bray fighter and Athens resident have fought former long running WBC lightweight world champion Delfine Persoon.

The Belgian did manage to give Taylor [14(6)-0] the toughest test of her career in their undisputed fight back in June, but comprehensively defeated Linardatou to retain a WBC belt now currently in the Irish sensation’s possession. 

The differing results have prompted some to suggest the trail blazing star of female boxing should win rather comfortably, but the world light welterweight champion argues otherwise.

“This is Boxing,” she told Irish-Boxing.com.

“You can’t make that analogy. It’s like saying Michael Keaton is a better Batman than Ben Affleck. Two different movies. Two different times,” she continues before arguing she is a different fighter now.

“When I fought Persoon, I was inexperienced, it was in her home country and I didn’t have a big toolbox. I have matured and learned so much since then.”

Whilst Taylor is favourite, there are some who suggest Persoon laid down the blueprint to cause the five-time amateur world champion trouble.

‘Medusa’ admits she too is aggressive and by all accounts likes to press the action, but she quashed any idea she is similar to the Belgian.

“Persoon has a different all around style than I do. Her body frame, technique and psychology is much different than mine.”

The clash will top a bill at the 21,000 capacity Manchester Arena. The crowd will be like nothing Linardatou has seen before, but as expected she claims he won’t have any effect on her. 

“In all honesty, I don’t care where I fight! In a subway, on a bridge ,or outside Buckingham Palace. Katie has brought a more lucrative financial element to woman’s boxing. This is all the more reason I want her spot. I will fight within a inch of my life to get it. I’m hungry. I’m the hunter and she is the hunted at this point.”