Katie Taylor excited for 'legacy defining' contest with determined Delfine Persoon

Katie Taylor eager to prove she is pound for pound No.1 against Delfine Persoon who believes she is 'bigger and ready for pressure' ahead of rematch

Katie Taylor and Delfine Persoon are both determined to propel their names to the top of women's boxing ahead of their clash for the WBC, WBA, IBF, WBO and Ring Magazine Lightweight World Titles at Fight Camp, live on Sky Sports Box Office and DAZN on Saturday night.

The Irish fighter is now primed to prove she is the 'best fighter' by reigning victorious in the rematch once again, where Persoon came so close to stealing the spotlight from the 34-year-old lightweight.

The pair faced off at Fight Camp from the bubble ahead of their monumental clash on August 22nd, and Taylor believes that she is just a few steps away from cementing her status as the top female fighter, and is ready for whatever challenges and criticism face her in the following days.

She said: "I'm very very excited. I've said it before, this is why I'm in the sport of boxing, to be involved in fights like this. This is a legacy building fight for me and Delfine. We're both in this sport to prove that we are the best. You have two fighters here that absolutely believe that they are going to win. We both think we're going to win. That's what makes this such a fantastic fight. I want to be involved in the biggest fights and that's why I wanted this rematch. I want to prove that I am the best. There will be criticism whether I win or lose.

This is why I'm in boxing - to be the best. I want to be known as the pound for pound No 1. No crowd, all the belts on the line? This is the purest form of boxing you will ever see. I'm prepared for whatever comes my way on Saturday. May the best boxer win."

Belgian Persoon with fourty seven bouts to her name, remains adamant that she should have been declared the victor of the initial contest between the pair back in June 2019, and is keen to use her 'offensive' style to outbox Taylor and return to world champion status once again.

She said: " It's up to me to prove that I also deserve the Titles. In New York, for us, it was not the correct decision. Everybody thinks [I won the first fight with Taylor]. It's good there is a rematch. We will see who is the best fighter. We didn't think [Taylor would grant a rematch]. We were very surprised Katie is taking this risk. For her, it is a big risk. If she loses, it isn't good for her career.

"A war? This is boxing. Punch, punch back. It is not a war. Grabbing and holding is not boxing. Boxing offensively, jabbing and working, is the way to box. I respect her style. I must prove my style, like I did in New York, but even better. But I like to box in front. Boxing with my heart can be a problem, sometimes I forget to use my [brain]. I must not give her time to hold me. Don't give her the time.

"I could see I am bigger than her. I have to start the fight faster than last time, with a higher tempo. But I can't change the whole thing. My way of boxing is with pressure. I can box also on the back foot but, a lot of the time, my opponents don't pressure me. But I can do it. I spar with guys in Belgium who are stronger than me. They give me problems and I find solutions. Against a girl, I always feel stronger because I train with men.

With both women being key mainstays in the rise of women's boxing in recent years, they will hope that they can continue their marches to becoming top athletes in the sport and stay on the right side of the progression and popularity that continues to grip both Taylor and Persoon.

HÖRFA are proud sponsors of Boxing News Now