Katie Taylor wants to unify

Holder of three world titles, Katie Taylor will make a run for number four June 1 when she mixes it up with WBC champion Delfine Persoon on the hallowed grounds of Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Taylor (13-0, 6 KOs) expects Persoon (43-1, 18 KOs) to bring it.

“This fight is going to be the toughest of my career so far,” said Taylor at a recent press conference. “I’ve watched clips of her and she’s very tall and awkward, she punches non-stop for the 10 rounds and I think it’s going to be a very physical fight.”

A physical fight is precisely what Persoon wants.

“I know she has more speed than me, but I think physically I have the edge,” Persoon told Bradley Cullen of www.thesportingnews.com. “Her best chance is speed and technically she is little bit better than me.”

A ‘little better” is a slight understatement. Taylor, who captured gold at the 2012 Olympic games, is blessed with world class footwork and hand speed. Last March, she whipped gutsy Rose Volante in every conceivable way. She knocked her down, bloodied her face, and stopped her in round nine.

Taylor’s a boxer by trade, but inside lurks a hard-nosed fighter. She can be feisty in there, which is exactly what Persoon is banking on.

“I think with a physical fight it works in my favor,” said Persoon.”The first three rounds are going to maybe be technical, but the longer the fight goes on, the better for me.”

Persoon, 34, a native of Belgium, will be fighting in the United States for the first time in her career. Her only loss happened nine years ago at the hands of Zelda Tekin.

Taylor, 32, hasn’t come close to losing a professional fight. She picked up her first world title in her seventh professional bout by boxing the ears off game Anahi Ester Sanchez. Six months later, she added the IBF belt by defeating Victoria Noelia Bustos. Her third title came when she dominated Volante a few months ago. Taylor has dreamed of being the undisputed lightweight champion for a couple of years now.

Persoon feels that the pressure is all on Taylor.

“I fight because I like it,” Persoon said. “For me it’s not my job, it’s my hobby, it’s my passion. We hope we win the fight, but if I lose it’s no problem for me, I’ll come back to Belgium and go to work as a police officer and I have my job, my security and my money every month.

“For Katie, boxing is her job. If she loses it’s a big difference for her, it won’t be good for her job. So, for me, I have nothing to lose. Katie Taylor has everything to lose.”

Taylor feels she’s up for the challenge.

“I don’t think you could write a better script, it’s an absolute dream,” said Taylor. “Persoon is recognized as one of the best in the world pound-for-pound and has been the WBC champ now for over five years so it’s the best against the best.”

Nobody has been able to match Taylor’s speed. Her technique is head and shoulders above anyone she has met in the ring. Persoon will need to stun her to have a chance.

Look for Taylor to box and punch her way to a wide decision victory.