For over a year, unified lightweight champion Katie Taylor (15-0, 6 KOs) and challenger Delfine Persoon (44-2, 18 KOs) argued over who deserved to win their ridiculously close first fight at Madison Square Garden on June 1, 2019.
But at Matchroom Boxing's Mascalls HQ in Brentwood, ahead of their second encounter in chief support to Dillian Whyte vs. Alexander Povetkin at Fight Camp 4, the two combatants were in total agreement that their rematch was as necessary as it is pivotal for the continued rise of women's professional boxing as a featured attraction.
There have been signs of frustration and animosity in the words of both champion and challenger over the last 15 months. Everything from the other fighter's boxing style to the opinions of fans online has been fair game.
But with the rematch coming about because Taylor encountered nothing but frustration trying to seal other megafights such as vs. Amanda Serrano, much of the bickering from all sides has made way for one united wave of gratitude that we are getting another dose of this thrilling encounter.
"This Saturday is my chance to prove I’m a high-level female boxer as well," explained Persoon at the final press conference. "It’s my chance to prove that New York was not the correct decision.
"I think everybody has their own thoughts. We think we won, but we definitely deserve a rematch. It will be a very good, high-level fight for female boxing.
"We didn’t think the rematch would come. We weren’t sure what to do next. We didn’t think Katie would take this risk because it’s a big risk. If she loses it’s big damage to her career.
"They say this is a war, but to us it’s boxing. You punch, you go back. You punch again, you block. The grappling and the holding isn’t the sport of boxing we know, but if you jab and you work, that’s boxing.
"I want to show that female boxers can box as good as men. In Belgium, there aren’t a lot of female boxers, and I have to train with men. They don’t hold back, so I’m prepared for very hard fights.
"Katie has her plan. It’s technical and tactical, and I respect that, too. Saturday is my chance to prove the worth of my style of boxing — the same as New York, but hopefully a bit better."
A stark contrast from some of her words on Matchroom's YouTube channel and during the Zoom ePress Conference, Taylor was also respectful and diplomatic ahead of a huge night for the women's scene."I’m very excited," she explained. "This is why I’m here, to take fights like this.
"This is a legacy-building fight for both of us. You have two fighters who absolutely believe they’ll win and that’s why it’ll be a great fight. I guess I just want to prove that I am the best.
"There’ll be criticism whether you win or lose, so I don’t take much notice to what people say, but I train so hard because I want to prove myself as the pound-for-pound number one.
"I haven’t really thought too much about the differences of fighting with no crowd. I’m not sure if it’s an advantage or a disadvantage. But this will be two champion fighters doing what they do.
"I think I’m prepared for whatever comes my way. I’m sure Delfine is prepared too. This is why it’ll be a great fight. May the best boxer win."
Promoter Eddie Hearn, who moderated the presser, summed it up nicely at the conclusion.
He said: "The first fight was one of the best fights I’ve ever seen. Forget men’s or women’s boxing. It was one of the best I’ve ever seen.
That was in front of 20,000 in Madison Square Garden, this is at Matchroom Square Garden, in the back yard. But I know it will be every bit as exciting."
Matchroom Fight Camp 4, headlined by Dillian Whyte vs Alexander Povetkin and Katie Taylor vs Delfine Persoon, airs live on Sky Sports Box Office and DAZN in the U.S. on Aug. 22.