Undisputed lightweight champion Katie Taylor teed off on critics of her closely-contested first bout against Delfine Persoon, declaring that anyone who labelled her decision victory as a “disgrace” were in fact the disgrace themselves.
Taylor was declared the winner against Persoon via majority decision after a thrilling battle on the Anthony Joshua vs. Andy Ruiz Jr. undercard at Madison Square Garden on June 1, 2019.
Though the victory completed the 34-year-old’s path to unifying the division, a fair share of viewers felt that Persoon had actually done enough to win the fight.
Although Taylor (15-0, 6 KOs) has made every effort to remain calm in the face of hostile criticism, she opened up in a frank interview during her preparations for the rematch with Persoon (44-2, 18 KOs), which takes place Aug. 22.
Taylor said: “I watched the fight back. Obviously it was very close which is why she deserves the rematch. But I couldn’t give her more than five rounds, honestly.
“To hear people say the result was a disgrace or a robbery — that’s a disgrace in itself, really.
“I deserved to win the fight. It was a close one, and I was disappointed with my performance on the night, but I wasn’t disappointed with the results. I felt like the right winner won.
“But because it was so great and so close, that’s why we’re having the rematch.”
In response to claims that her body language in the Big Apple ring upon hearing herself declared the winner suggested even she didn’t feel as though she won, Taylor set the record straight.
“Anytime you’re in a close fight, your first reaction is relief,” she explained.
“I don’t think anyone trains as hard as me. I’m 100 per cent committed to this sport. I feel prepared every time I step into the ring and when I’m announced as the winner, there’s always a reaction of joy and relief.
“It was too close for my liking, so it’s been hanging over my head for the last year or so. I’m delighted it’s been nailed down again.
“I’m going to shut up all the doubters and shut up everyone who has criticised me over the last year.”
Though the unbeaten champion dislikes some of the comments that have been made, she insists they’re par for the course at this level.
“When you’re in this position, you’re putting yourself on the line to be criticised,” continued Taylor.
“I’m never, ever surprised by the criticism. I’ve been criticised my whole career.
“But for people to call the result a robbery was very harsh. You can’t call fights that close a disgraceful decision.”
The rematch with Persoon wasn’t Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Boxing’s first choice for the huge Aug. 22 card, also featuring Dillian Whyte vs Alexander Povetkin.
Talks were in place to secure a showdown with Amanda Serrano (38-1-1, 28 KOs), and the dream fight’s subsequent failure to materialise left Taylor feeling extremely disappointed.
“I’m not sure if she really had any intention of stepping into the ring with me,” said Taylor. “But thankfully, we secured another huge fight. This rematch with Persoon is an even bigger fight than facing Serrano, and it’s a tougher fight.
“Looking at Serrano’s career, she’s never really had any big fights. She’s never stepped in there with anyone significant, really. She’s a seven-weight world champion, but six of those seven titles were vacant, and she got to pick and choose her opponents.
“I’m not sure she wants the big fights, if I’m honest. And that’s not me bashing Serrano. I think she’s a fantastic fighter. But you don’t know how good she is but she hasn’t fought anyone who can really challenge her.”
Taylor vowed to continue to do the opposite and chase the biggest and best possible fights, regardless of the situation or even a global pandemic.
“[COVID-19] shows that you just don’t know what’s coming around the corner, so to have a huge fight secured on August 22 is fantastic,” she said.
“Competing behind closed doors is something that works with combat sports. You’re still going in there to out-perform and out-fight your opponent.
“Whether there’s a crowd there or not makes no difference to me. Whether there are 10 people watching or 10,000, I’m going to give it my all.”
Taylor vs. Persoon, which is headlined by Whyte vs. Povetkin, will be available via Sky Sports Box Office in the U.K., and DAZN in the U.S. and other countries.