Katie Taylor rejoices in Delfine Persoon rivalry

Katie Taylor is ‘very happy’ to have Delfine Persoon as rival.

Considering her supreme talent and the lack of spotlight on female boxing at the time the main concern for team Taylor when she turned over was the ability of her competitors to help generate interest and intrigue in her fights.

Indeed, the undisputed champion’s manager Brian Peters more than once called for a host of fighters to ensure they played their part in making sure they were not just viewed as potential opponents, but potential threats and rivals.

In her decorated quickfire stint as a pro a number of names have emerged as possible ‘mega fight’ foes. The likes of Amanda Serrano and Cecilia Braekhus standout, whilst Chantelle Cameron is progressing in the right direction while former foe Jessica McCaskill – who is now a two belt world champion at light welter- is certainly a future option.

However, at present the closest thing Taylor has to an old school rival and genuine rivalry is most recent opponent Delfine Persoon.

Such was the nature of their first fight that a rematch is inevitable and eagerly anticipated- and the reaction of the Belgium feeds into the rivalry narrative.

WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO world champion Taylor has branded the former WBC titlists ‘robbery’ claims a disgrace, but it all plays into the kind of bad blood narrative that creates the kind of conflict boxing thrives off.

And while she may not welcome some of the Belgians comments she is certainly hoping a real rivalry emerges.

“I’d be very happy to have a rival,” says the five time world amateur champion  who references Marco Antonio Barrera and Erik Morales’ legendary trilogy, at a SKY VIP appearance.

“That’s exactly what women’s sport needs. There will be more interest in the rematch than the original fight. It was great for business but I don’t want to be involved in too many of those fights.

“It was a fight of the year contender.”

There have been calls for the Irish fighter to rematch the former long reining champ straight away. By all accounts it’s the fight Taylor wanted next, but promoter Eddie Hearn has a three fight plan that see’s his favourite boxer become a two weight world champion around October time.

“The rematch is inevitable but, at the same time, I want to move up in weight and become a multiple-weight undisputed champion,” continued Taylor.  “That’s history, right there!”