Katie Taylor’s promotion team Matchroom Boxing have entered talks with Croke Park officials to host the Bray native’s final boxing bout at the home of the GAA.
The 39-year-old has been vocal for many years about her desire to be the first female fighter at the top of a boxing bill at the 82,000-seater and now promoter Eddie Hearn has raised hope to new heights, proclaiming to RTÉ on Friday “the confidence to fill this place is higher than it’s ever been.”
University of Limerick students gave their thoughts on the potential bout. Excitement and support was common, as Finn Corcoran exemplified.
“It’s great for sports entertainment in Ireland… Katie Taylor is always a great watch.”
He affirmed his belief that Taylor could sell out the legendary venue if “it was marketed well enough and tickets were a good price.”
Fellow student Daniel Daly shares this confidence in the champions ability to fill seats believing that she can definitely sell out Croke Park, “She has a big audience, big publicity.”
Previous talks have been held with Croke Park officials for the unified Super-Lightweight champion to defend her silverware in the Irish capital but were unsuccessful.
Hearn believes the time is right for Katie to fulfil “her lifelong dream”, stating “it’s here or it’s over”.
Despite the Englishman’s confidence, doubt has been cast by Minister of State for Sport Charlie McConalogue, who yesterday revealed that they “haven’t received any specific proposal around a Katie Taylor fight as of yet.”
A handful of names have emerged as likely challengers for Taylor’s swansong as old rivals Chantelle Cameron and Amanda Serrano have thrown their hats into the ring.
The most vocal potential challenger is Alycia Baumgardner, who has long been calling out Taylor, and did so as recently as Sunday in a post-fight press conference after her unanimous decision victory over Bo Mi Re Shin on Sunday, retaining her WBO, WBA and IBF Super-featherweight titles in the process.