Delfine Persoon

Belgian boxer

Delfine Persoon

Persoon in 2013

Born|  (1985-01-14) 14 January 1985 (age 39)

Hooglede, West Flanders, Belgium

Statistics
Weight(s)|

* Super-featherweight
* Lightweight

Height| 175 cm (5 ft 9 in)
Stance| Orthodox
Boxing record[1]
Total fights| 54
Wins| 49
Wins by KO| 19
Losses| 3
No contests| 2

Medal record

Women's amateur boxing
Representing  Belgium
Belgian National Championships
|  2009 Eupen  | Lightweight

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]

## Professional boxing career

[edit]

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

[edit]

Main article: Anthony Joshua vs. Andy Ruiz Jr.

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

[edit]

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

#### Persoon vs. Taylor II

[edit]

Main article: Dillian Whyte vs. Alexander Povetkin

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

[edit]

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

## Professional boxing record

[edit]

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

[edit]

* Vlaamse Reus in 2014.[23]
* Belgian Sportsman of the year in 2015.[24]

## References

[edit]

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.

## External links

[edit]

* Official website
* Boxing record for Delfine Persoon from BoxRec (registration required)

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

Érica Farías

|  WBC female lightweight champion
20 April 2014 – 1 June 2019  | Succeeded by

Katie Taylor

* v
* t
* e

Belgian Sportsman of the Year

Men|

* 1967 Ferdinand Bracke
* 1968 Serge Reding
* 1969–1974 Eddy Merckx
* 1975 Bruno Brokken
* 1976 Ivo Van Damme
* 1977 Michel Pollentier
* 1978 Raymond Ceulemans
* 1979–1980 Robert Van de Walle
* 1981 Freddy Maertens
* 1982 Jacky Ickx
* 1983 Eddy Annys
* 1984 Claude Criquielion
* 1985 Gaston Rahier & Vincent Rousseau
* 1986 William Van Dijck
* 1987 Georges Jobé
* 1988 Eric Geboers
* 1989 Thierry Boutsen
* 1990 Rudy Dhaenens
* 1991 Jean-Michel Saive
* 1992 Georges Jobé
* 1993 Vincent Rousseau
* 1994 Jean-Michel Saive
* 1995–1996 Fred Deburghgraeve
* 1997 Luc Van Lierde
* 1998 Fred Deburghgraeve
* 1999 Luc Van Lierde
* 2000 Joël Smets
* 2001–2004 Stefan Everts
* 2005 Tom Boonen
* 2006 Stefan Everts
* 2007 Tom Boonen
* 2008 Sven Nys
* 2009–2011 Philippe Gilbert
* 2012 Tom Boonen
* 2013 Frederik Van Lierde
* 2014 Thibaut Courtois
* 2015 Kevin De Bruyne
* 2016 Greg Van Avermaet
* 2017 David Goffin
* 2018 Eden Hazard
* 2019 Remco Evenepoel
* 2020–2021 Wout van Aert
* 2022–2023 Remco Evenepoel

Women|

* 1975 Carine Verbauwen
* 1976–1977 Anne-Marie Pira
* 1978–1979 Carine Verbauwen
* 1980 Ingrid Berghmans
* 1981 Annie Lambrechts
* 1982–1986 Ingrid Berghmans
* 1987 Ingrid Lempereur
* 1988–1989 Ingrid Berghmans
* 1990–1991 Sabine Appelmans
* 1992 Annelies Bredael
* 1993 Gella Vandecaveye
* 1994–1995 Brigitte Becue
* 1996 Ulla Werbrouck
* 1997 Gella Vandecaveye
* 1998 Dominique Monami
* 1999–2002 Kim Clijsters
* 2003–2004 Justine Henin-Hardenne
* 2005 Kim Clijsters
* 2006–2007 Justine Henin-Hardenne
* 2008 Tia Hellebaut
* 2009–2011 Kim Clijsters
* 2012 Evi Van Acker
* 2013 Kirsten Flipkens
* 2014 Nafissatou Thiam
* 2015 Delfine Persoon
* 2016–2017 Nafissatou Thiam
* 2018–2019 Nina Derwael
* 2020 Emma Meesseman
* 2021 Nina Derwael
* 2022 Nafissatou Thiam
* 2023 Lotte Kopecky

Team|

* 1997 Noliko Maaseik
* 1998 Motocross team
* 1999 Davis Cup team
* 2000 Anderlecht
* 2001 Fed Cup team
* 2002 La Villette
* 2003 Motocross team
* 2004 Women's 4×100 metres relay
* 2005 Men's under-21 football team
* 2006 Fed Cup team
* 2007–2008 Women's 4×100 metres relay
* 2009–2011 Belgian men's 4 × 400 metres relay team
* 2012 Men's field hockey team
* 2013–2014 Men's football team
* 2015 Davis Cup team
* 2016 Men's field hockey team
* 2017 Davis Cup team
* 2018–2019 Men's field hockey team
* 2020 Women's basketball team
* 2021 Men's field hockey team
* 2022 Belgian men's 4 × 400 metres relay team
* 2023 Women's basketball team

Talent|

* 1998 Kim Clijsters
* 1999 Bart Wellens
* 2000 Bart Aernouts
* 2001 Jurgen Van den Broeck
* 2002 Thomas Buffel
* 2003 Kirsten Flipkens
* 2004 Aagje Vanwalleghem
* 2005 Niels Albert
* 2006 Yoris Grandjean
* 2007 Dominique Cornu
* 2008 Elise Matthysen
* 2009 Romelu Lukaku
* 2010 Luca Brecel
* 2011 Thomas Van der Plaetsen
* 2012 Kimmer Coppejans
* 2013 Nafissatou Thiam
* 2014 Divock Origi
* 2015 Tiesj Benoot
* 2016 Louise Carton
* 2017 Lotte Kopecky
* 2018 Remco Evenepoel
* 2019 Yari Verschaeren
* 2020 Charles De Ketelaere
* 2021 Thibau Nys
* 2022 Cian Uijtdebroeks
* 2023 Alec Segaert

Paralympic|

* 2010 Sven Decaesstecker
* 2011 Wim Decleir
* 2012 Marieke Vervoort
* 2013 Joachim Gérard
* 2014 Michèle George
* 2015 Marieke Vervoort
* 2016 Laurens Devos
* 2017–2018 Peter Genyn
* 2019–2021 Joachim Gérard
* 2022 Michèle George
* 2023 Maxime Carabin

Coach|

* 2011–2012 Jacques Borlée
* 2013–2014 Marc Wilmots
* 2015 Hein Vanhaezebrouck
* 2016–2017 Roger Lespagnard
* 2018 Roberto Martínez
* 2019 Shane Mcleod
* 2020 Philip Mestdagh
* 2021 Shane Mcleod
* 2022 Roger Lespagnard
* 2023 Rachid Meziane

* v
* t
* e

Vlaamse Reus Award

* 1992 Sabine Appelmans
* 1993 Gella Vandecaveye
* 1994 Frédérik Deburghgraeve
* 1995 Johan Museeuw
* 1996–1997 Luc Van Lierde
* 1998 Frédérik Deburghgraeve
* 1999 Luc Van Lierde
* 2000–2001 Kim Clijsters
* 2002 Kim Gevaert
* 2003 Marc Herremans
* 2004 Kim Gevaert
* 2005 Tom Boonen
* 2006 Tia Hellebaut
* 2007 Kim Gevaert
* 2008 Tia Hellebaut
* 2009 Niels Albert
* 2010 Kim Clijsters
* 2011 Thomas van der Plaetsen
* 2012 Evi Van Acker
* 2013 Frederik Van Lierde
* 2014 Delfine Persoon
* 2015 Marieke Vervoort
* 2016 Greg Van Avermaet
* 2017–2018 Nina Derwael
* 2019 Emma Meesseman
* 2020 Wout van Aert
* 2021 Bashir Abdi
* 2022 Remco Evenepoel
* 2024 Patrick Lefevere

*[No.]: Number
*[NC]: No contest
*[MD]: Majority decision
*[RTD]: Corner retirement
*[DQ]: Disqualification
*[TKO]: Technical knockout
*[UD]: Unanimous decision
*[KO]: Knockout
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template