FORMER WBC WORLD lightweight champion Delfine Persoon will park her pursuit of an eagerly anticipated rematch with Katie Taylor and attempt to qualify for the Olympics next summer.
The Belgian, who has amassed a record of 44-2(18KOs) in the professional ranks, will revert to amateur status from 1 January and begin her bid to represent her country in Tokyo.
Persoon lamented her own lack of an amateur career during the build-up to her undisputed title fight with Taylor last June, but came close to toppling the 2012 Olympic champion in what transpired to be one of the greatest professional female fights of all time.
Eddie Hearn had previously told The42 that he and Sky Sports were eyeing a Taylor-Persoon sequel as a groundbreaking pay-per-view bill-topper next year, but it’s now more likely that Persoon will wind up first facing another Irish boxing great, and Taylor’s successor in the unpaid ranks, Kellie Harrington, over the course of the next eight months.
Harrington, the 2018 amateur world champion at 60kg who was unable to defend her crown this year due to injury, will likely join Persoon in the European qualifying event in London next March. Should either fail to qualify in London, there will also be a world qualifier in Paris in May.
Persoon, 34, has fought once since losing a controversial majority decision to Taylor in June, besting the significantly smaller Helen Joseph on a unanimous decision last month.
While I’ve been quick to say he hasn’t impressed me at all in some aspects of his play, no denying he has been a great addition. Carty can be up and down with form and fitness and, save a purple patch by Conor Fitzgerald in the middle of 19/20, has had to play when he could do with a break for physical and mental form. Like Carty was flogged last year when Hawkshaw and Fitz were injured, but there was no real alternative. Having someone of Hanrahan’s level there too is great, and I was delighted when he signed.
He also has strengths that you could question Carty can be weak on. While I critique JJ’s attack-manship, another side of that very coin could argue unlike Carty, who seems to put the whole weight and responsiblity of Connacht’s whole attack on his shoulders, JJ is great in trying to utilise playmakers in the centre and SH. As well as having some days where his boot is almost laser guided.
With all respect to himself and Carty though. Post 2025 Connacht need to have a new 10 making strides. Perhaps Harry West or Sean Naughton (who looks like a superstar) can step up? If not maybe look at the 4th or 5th choice in Leinster? Prendergast, Tector, etc.
@David Hickey: Where is Conor Fitzgerald?