Delfine Persoon

Persoon, who works as a railway policewoman, started professional boxing in 2009, after a career in competitive judo.^{[citation needed]}

In March 2011 she became European female lightweight against Nicole Boss.^[3] She successfully defended her title in November 2011 against Myriam Dellal.^[4]

In February 2012, Persoon won the WIBF lightweight title with a technical knockout against Lucia Morelli. In September 2012 she added the IBF female lightweight title with a technical knockout against Erin McGowan.^[5] In January 2013, she successfully defended her WIBF title against Anita Torti, winning by unanimous decision.^[6]

In March 2013, Persoon won a final eliminator against Kremena Petkova by knockout in the second round, gaining the right to challenge Érica Farías for the WBC female lightweight title.^[7] In September 2013 she was stripped of the IBF title for inactivity, having failed to defend it in the intervening year.^[8]

In December 2013, she won a unification fight with Lucia Morelli for the WIBF and WBF titles.^[9]

On 20 April 2014, Persoon won the WBC title by unanimous decision against Farias.^[10]

Persoon vs. Taylor

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.^[11] Taylor's manager however stated that "Taylor would not even get out of bed for this sum."^[12] 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 of the Anthony Joshua vs. Andy Ruiz Jr. heavyweight world title fight.^[13][14] In addition to all four sanctioning body's titles being on the line, The Ring magazine belt was also at stake.^[15] 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 hotels as Taylor was staying in the same hotel, demanding that she take an additional blood test and prove Persoon has exercise asthma.^[16][17] Taylor won a controversial majority decision to become the undisputed lightweight champion.^[18]

Super-featherweight

On 11 November 2019, Persoon won the WBA interim super-featherweight title beating Helen Joseph by unanimous decision.^[19]

Persoon vs. Taylor II

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.^[20] Persoon lost by unanimous decision.^[21][22]

Persoon vs. Baumgardner

Persoon challenged Alycia Baumgardner for WBC super-featherweight title on 27 September 2024 in Atlanta, USA.^[23] The fight was stopped in the fourth round and ruled a no contest due to a cut Persoon suffered over her right eye from an accidental clash of heads.^[24][25]

Persoon vs. Veyre

Persoon fought Caroline Veyre for the vacant WBC female super-featherweight title at GLC Live at 20 Monroe in Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA, on 10 February 2026.^[26][27] She lost by unanimous decision.^[28][29]

• Vlaamse Reus in 2014.^[30]
• Belgian Sportsman of the year in 2015.^[31]