Prominent boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has made a forceful declaration that Irish boxing legend Katie Taylor unequivocally deserves to headline her anticipated farewell fight at Dublin's iconic Croke Park stadium this summer. Simultaneously, Hearn has definitively ruled out the possibility of the venue hosting the long-awaited heavyweight super-fight between British rivals Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury.
Finalising Taylor's Illustrious Career
Hearn, the chief of Matchroom Boxing, is scheduled to travel to the Irish capital this Friday to finalise negotiations for what is expected to be the final professional bout of Taylor's storied career. This move follows comments last week from Croke Park chief executive Peter McKenna, who suggested the stadium could "facilitate" Taylor's swansong if it also secured the rights to stage the colossal Joshua-Fury showdown.
Dublin Ruled Out for Heavyweight Clash
However, with the historic Joshua-Fury bout now being earmarked for a November date, Hearn confirmed that an outdoor venue in Dublin is no longer a viable option. "If this (Joshua v Fury) takes place in November, it won't be outdoors in Dublin and so therefore we just want to move forward with Katie Taylor," Hearn stated emphatically.
He added a firm and colourful rejection of any scenario where Taylor, a national sporting icon, would play a supporting role on an undercard. "With all due respect, I don't think it's the place to do this fight, either," Hearn said. "Also, absolutely over my dead body is Katie Taylor going on an undercard at Croke Park."
Promoter Ready to Proceed with Taylor Event
Hearn indicated his readiness to proceed with the Taylor event, noting significant progress. "We'll find out more on Friday. We're ready to go and are up for doing it. Not necessarily with a finalised opponent, but in terms of the costs and the running of the show," he explained. The promoter also expressed palpable frustration at the initial suggestion that Taylor might not top the bill in front of her legions of adoring Irish fans.
Revealing his blunt reaction to the proposal linking her fight to the heavyweight bout, Hearn said: "Croke Park want to do it, but when they said 'Fury v AJ would give Katie the opportunity to fight there', I was like 'mate, don't f****** get the blood boiling'."
A Fitting Finale for a Boxing Legend
Katie Taylor, who will turn 40 in July, is expected to retire from professional boxing after one final contest. Her career is the stuff of legend; she is a multiple-weight world champion as a professional, having first captured the nation's heart by winning Olympic gold for Ireland as an amateur at the London 2012 Games. A headline event at the 82,300-capacity Croke Park would represent a monumental and fitting send-off for one of Ireland's greatest-ever athletes.
The focus now shifts squarely to securing this landmark event for Taylor, with Hearn's trip to Dublin poised to be a critical step in making the Croke Park farewell a reality. The promoter's unwavering stance ensures the spotlight remains firmly on Taylor's legacy, separate from the ongoing saga of the British heavyweight showdown.
