Delfine Persoon (Dutch pronunciation: [dɛlˈfinə pərˈsoːn]; born 14 January 1985)[2] is a Belgian professional boxer. She held the IBF female lightweight title in 2012 and the WBC female lightweight title from 2014 to June 2019, losing the title in a unification fight against Katie Taylor for the undisputed lightweight championship.[3] As of September 2020, she is ranked as the world's best active female super-featherweight by BoxRec,[4] the second best active female lightweight by The Ring,[5] and the second best active female, pound for pound, by BoxRec,[6] fifth by The Ring[5] and seventh by ESPN.[7]

Delfine Persoon
Persoon in 2013
Born (1985-01-14) 14 January 1985 (age 39)
Statistics
Weight(s)
Height175 cm (5 ft 9 in)
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record[1]
Total fights54
Wins49
Wins by KO19
Losses3
No contests2
Medal record
Women's amateur boxing
Representing  Belgium
Belgian National Championships
Gold medal – first place 2009 Eupen Lightweight

Professional boxing career

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Persoon, who works as a railway policewoman, started professional boxing in 2009 - switching to boxing after a career in competitive judo. In March 2011 she became EBU European Champion against Nicole Boss.[8] She successfully defended her title in November 2011 against Myriam Dellal.[9]

In February 2012, Persoon won the WIBF world title with a technical knockout (TKO) against Lucia Morelli. In September 2012 she added the IBF world title with a TKO against Erin McGowan. In January 2013, she successfully defended her WIBF title against Anita Torti. In December 2013 she also gained the WIBA world title.[9]

In March 2013, Persoon won a WBC final eliminator against Kremena Petkova, gaining the right to challenge Erica Farias for the WBC title. In September 2013 she was stripped of the IBF title for inactivity, having failed to defend it in the intervening year. The vacant title was claimed by Victoria Bustos on 21 September.[9]

In December 2013, she won a unification fight with Lucia Morelli for the WIBF & WBF titles.[10] This victory made her the number 1 lightweight in the world according to BoxRec.

On 20 April 2014, Persoon won the WBC title on points from Farias.[11]

Persoon vs. Taylor

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In December 2018, it was revealed that Persoon offered $100,000 to IBF and WBA champion Katie Taylor for a fight.[12] Taylor's manager however stated that "Taylor would not even get out of bed for this sum."[13] Eventually, a lightweight unification fight between Persoon and Taylor was set for 1 June 2019, at the Madison Square Garden in New York, on the undercard for the Anthony Joshua vs. Andy Ruiz Jr. heavyweight title fight.[14][15] In addition to all four sanctioning body's titles being on the line, The Ring magazine belt was also at stake. [16] Persoon's management labelled Taylor's team "totally disrespectful" and claimed "psychological warfare" after a series of late fight week demands. This included forcing Persoon to switch hotel as Taylor was staying in the same hotel, demanding that she take an additional blood test and prove Persoon has exercise asthma.[17][18] Taylor won a controversial majority decision to become the undisputed lightweight champion.[19]

Super-featherweight

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On 11 November 2019, Persoon won the WBA interim super-featherweight title beating Helen Joseph by unanimous decision.[20]

Persoon vs. Taylor II

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A rematch with Taylor took place on 22 August 2020 at the Matchroom Sport headquarters in Brentwood, Essex, for the undisputed female lightweight title.[21] Taylor won by unanimous decision.

Persoon vs. Baumgardner

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Persoon is scheduled to challenge Alycia Baumgardner for WBC super featherweight title on September 27, 2024 in Atlanta, GA.[22]

Professional boxing record

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54 fights 49 wins 3 losses
By knockout 19 1
By decision 27 2
By disqualification 3 0
No contests 2
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
54 NC 49–3 (2) Alycia Baumgardner NC 4 (10), 1:15 27 Sep 2024 Lux Studios, Atlanta, U.S. For WBC, IBF, WBO, WBA & The Ring female super featherweight titles;
Persoon suffered a cut above her right eye due to a head clash in the fourth round
53 Win 49–3 (1) Agustina Marisa Belen Rojas UD 6 01 Nov 2023 Izegem, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium
52 Win 48–3 (1) Bo Mi Re Shin SD 10 28 May 2023 Sportcentrum Van steenland, Torhout, Belgium Retained WBC Silver female super featherweight title
51 NC 47–3 (1) Ikram Kerwat NC 1 (10), 1:06 13 Nov 2022 Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai, UAE Retained WBC Silver female super featherweight title;
Persoon hit Kerwat when she was on the ground following a knockdown
50 Win 47–3 Elhem Mekhaled UD 10 21 May 2022 Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi Won vacant WBC Silver female super featherweight title
49 Win 46–3 Beatriz Aguilar RTD 4 (8) 1 Nov 2021 Izegem, Belgium
48 Win 45–3 Elena Gradinar UD 10 3 Jul 2021 Eernegem, Belgium Won vacant WBO Intercontinental super featherweight title
47 Loss 44–3 Katie Taylor UD 10 22 Aug 2020 Matchroom Fight Camp, Brentwood, England For WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO, and The Ring female lightweight titles
46 Win 44–2 Helen Joseph UD 10 11 Nov 2019 Versluys Dôme, Ostend, Belgium Won WBA interim female super-featherweight title
45 Loss 43–2 Katie Taylor MD 10 1 Jun 2019 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. Lost WBC female lightweight title;
For WBA, IBF, WBO, and inaugural The Ring female lightweight titles
44 Win 43–1 Melissa St. Vil RTD 7 (10), 2:00 9 Mar 2019 Kortrijk, Belgium Retained WBC female lightweight title
43 Win 42–1 Judy Waguthii TKO 10 (10) 8 Dec 2018 Ardooie, Belgium Retained WBC female lightweight title
42 Win 41–1 Natalia del Valle Aguirre UD 10 9 Jun 2018 Sportcentrum, Ichtegem, Belgium Retained WBC female lightweight title
41 Win 40–1 Monica Gentili UD 8 20 Jan 2018 Moorslede, Belgium
40 Win 39–1 Myriam Dellal UD 10 11 Nov 2017 Zwevezele, Belgium Retained WBC female lightweight title
39 Win 38–1 Everline Odero DQ 8 (8) 25 Dec 2016 Stedelijke Sporthalle, Izegem, Belgium
38 Win 37–1 Ruth Stephanie Aquino DQ 1 (10) 11 Nov 2016 Sporthal De zwaluw, Zwevezele, Belgium Retained WBC female lightweight title
37 Win 36–1 Christina Linardatou UD 10 4 Jun 2016 Sporthal Schiervelde, Belgium Retained WBC female lightweight title
36 Win 35–1 Maïva Hamadouche UD 10 11 Nov 2015 Zwevezele, Belgium Retained WBC female lightweight title
35 Win 34–1 Jane Kavulani UD 8 26 Sep 2015 Gits, Belgium
34 Win 33–1 Nicole Boss TKO 9 (10), 0:45 25 Apr 2015 Sternensaal, Bern, Switzerland Retained WBC female lightweight title
33 Win 32–1 Florence Muthoni TKO 8 (8) 28 Feb 2015 Ghelamco Arena, Ghent, Belgium
32 Win 31–1 Diana Prazak TKO 9 (10), 1:28 11 Nov 2014 Zwevezele, Belgium Retained WBC female lightweight title
31 Win 30–1 Judy Waguthii UD 8 27 Sep 2014 Zaal Ogierlande, Gits, Belgium
30 Win 29–1 Érica Farías UD 10 20 Apr 2014 Zwevezele, Belgium Won WBC female lightweight title
29 Win 28–1 Lucia Morelli TKO 10 (10), 1:19 13 Dec 2013 Zaal Forum, Aalst, Belgium Retained WIBF lightweight title;
Won WIBA, and WBF female lightweight titles
28 Win 27–1 Eva Bajic TKO 3 (8) 11 Nov 2013 Zwevezele, Belgium
27 Win 26–1 Irma Balijagic Adler UD 8 4 Oct 2013 Topsporthal Vlaanderen, Ghent, Belgium
26 Win 25–1 Galina Gumliiska TKO 2 (8) 23 Aug 2013 Kursaal, Ostend, Belgium
25 Win 24–1 Kremena Petkova KO 2 (10) 29 Mar 2013 Topsporthal Vlaanderen, Ghent, Belgium
24 Win 23–1 Fatuma Zarika UD 8 23 Feb 2013 Sporthal Schiervelde, Roeselare, Belgium
23 Win 22–1 Anita Torti UD 10 12 Jan 2013 Sporthal Sint Pieter, Sint Truiden, Belgium Retained WIBF lightweight title
22 Win 21–1 Marianna Gulyas KO 3 (6) 1 Nov 2012 Sporthal, Izegem, Belgium
21 Win 20–1 Erin McGowan TKO 7 (10), 1:48 21 Sep 2012 Lotto Arena, Antwerp, Belgium Won vacant IBF female lightweight title
20 Win 19–1 Valija Lasmanovica TKO 3 (6) 29 Jun 2012 Moorslede, Belgium
19 Win 18–1 Loli Munoz UD 8 27 Apr 2012 Topsporthal Vlaanderen, Ghent, Belgium
18 Win 17–1 Lucia Morelli TKO 5 (10) 25 Feb 2012 Expo-Hallen, Roeselare, Belgium Won WIBF lightweight title
17 Win 16–1 Myriam Dellal UD 10 1 Nov 2011 Stedelijke Sporthalle, Izegem, Belgium Retained European female lightweight title
16 Win 15–1 Angel McKenzie UD 6 30 Sep 2011 Topsporthal Vlaanderen, Ghent, Belgium
15 Win 14–1 Milena Koleva UD 8 24 Jun 2011 Feesttent, Torhout, Belgium
14 Win 13–1 Floarea Lihet UD 6 1 Apr 2011 Topsporthal Vlaanderen, Ghent, Belgium
13 Win 12–1 Nicole Boss UD 10 5 Mar 2011 Sporthal, Lichtervelde, Belgium Won vacant European female lightweight title
12 Win 11–1 Daniela David RTD 3 (6) 25 Dec 2010 Stedelijke Sporthalle, Izegem, Belgium
11 Win 10–1 Mirabela Calugareanu KO 2 (6) 10 Dec 2010 Grote Markt, Sint Niklaas, Belgium
10 Loss 9–1 Zelda Tekin TKO 4 (8) 1 Nov 2010 Stedelijke Sporthalle, Izegem, Belgium
9 Win 9–0 Zelda Tekin DQ 2 (6) 9 Oct 2010 Sporthal De Branding, Middelkerke, Belgium
8 Win 8–0 Kristine Shergold UD 8 11 Sep 2010 Studio hall, Bruges, Belgium
7 Win 7–0 Nicky Mutsaert KO 2 (6) 24 May 2010 Brielpoort, Deinze, Belgium
6 Win 6–0 Arlene de Freitas UD 6 30 Apr 2010 Sporthal Tempelhof, Bruges, Belgium
5 Win 5–0 Julie Robert UD 8 6 Mar 2010 Zaal Ogierlande, Oostkamp, Belgium
4 Win 4–0 Arlene de Freitas UD 6 5 Dec 2009 BC Noble Art, Deinze, Belgium
3 Win 3–0 Mariska Mulder TKO 2 (6) 21 Nov 2009 Sporthal Riderfort, Oostkamp, Belgium
2 Win 2–0 Renáta Szebelédi UD 6 4 Oct 2009 Olympia Stadion, Marke, Belgium
1 Win 1–0 Jana Latova KO 2 (6) 23 May 2008 Zaal Ogierlande, Gits, Belgium

Awards

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References

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  1. ^ "Boxing record for Delfine Persoon". BoxRec.
  2. ^ "Official website Delfine Persoon".
  3. ^ "BoxRec: Delfine Persoon". boxrec.com. Retrieved 23 November 2019.
  4. ^ "BoxRec: Female super-featherweight ratings". BoxRec. Retrieved 24 September 2020.
  5. ^ a b "The Ring Women's Ratings". The Ring. 8 September 2020. Retrieved 24 September 2020.
  6. ^ "BoxRec: Female p4p ratings". BoxRec. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
  7. ^ "Women's boxing pound-for-pound rankings: Did Katie Taylor do enough to take over the No. 1 spot?". ESPN.com. 26 August 2020. Retrieved 24 September 2020.
  8. ^ "West Fleming is boxing champion". Flanders Today. Retrieved 20 March 2019.
  9. ^ a b c Persoon's boxing profile
  10. ^ "Persoon defeats Morelli". Boxing News 24. 14 December 2013. Archived from the original on 7 August 2015. Retrieved 20 March 2019.
  11. ^ "Face of Flanders: Delfine Persoon". Flanders Today. Retrieved 20 March 2019.
  12. ^ "Delfine Persoon reveals $100,000 offer to Katie Taylor". Irish-Boxing. 20 December 2018. Retrieved 20 March 2019.
  13. ^ "Katie Taylor's dream of becoming undisputed champion in doubt after fight talks hit financial snag". Irish Independent. 20 December 2018. Retrieved 20 March 2019.
  14. ^ "Delfine Persoon to fight Ireland's Katie Taylor at Madison Square Garden". VRT NWS. 14 April 2019. Retrieved 14 April 2019.
  15. ^ News, Flanders (14 April 2019). "Delfine Persoon to fight Ireland's Katie Taylor at Madison Square Garden". vrtnws.be. Retrieved 3 June 2019. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  16. ^ "Katie Taylor-Delfine Persoon undisputed lightweight title bout set for June 1, The Ring title also at stake". The Ring. 16 April 2019. Retrieved 3 June 2019.
  17. ^ Oziga (3 June 2019). "Delfine Persoon leaves the arena in tears after dubious defeat". Afrinik. Retrieved 3 June 2019.
  18. ^ "'Totally disrespectful' - Delfine Persoon's manager blasts Katie Taylor's team over hotel row". Independent.ie. 30 May 2019. Retrieved 3 June 2019.
  19. ^ Alexander, Mookie (1 June 2019). "Video: Katie Taylor controversially edges out Delfine Persoon to become undisputed champion". Bloody Elbow. Archived from the original on 3 June 2019. Retrieved 3 June 2019.
  20. ^ Persoon wins WBA interim junior lightweight title, 11 November 2019
  21. ^ "Katie Taylor to face Delfine Persoon in rematch on 22 August". BBC Sport. 9 July 2020. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  22. ^ Iskenderov, Parviz (19 September 2024). "Rosalinda Rodriguez vs Amy Naert tops Baumgardner-Persoon undercard". FIGHTMAG.
  23. ^ Bogaert, Glenn (5 December 2014). "Boksster Delfine Persoon wint de Vlaamse Reus 2014". De Morgen (in Dutch). Retrieved 17 November 2023.
  24. ^ "Delfine Persoon is Sportvrouw van het jaar, Kevin de Bruyne Sportman". 20 December 2015.
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Sporting positions
Major World boxing titles
Inaugural champion IBF female lightweight champion
21 September 2012 – 2013
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Victoria Bustos
Preceded by WBC female lightweight champion
20 April 2014 – 1 June 2019
Succeeded by