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17th Feb 2023

Eddie Hearn names new Katie Taylor opponent for potential Croke Park bout

Lee Costello

“I just want it to happen.”

Eddie Hearn gives an update on the ongoing saga regarding Katie Taylor and her potential fight in Croke Park against Amanda Serrano. If the fight can’t go ahead at Croke Park, Taylor’s promoter said she may fight another opponent – Chantelle Camero – later in the year at the venue.

Hearn has been trying to make the fight happen in the national stadium on May 20 but says that it’s most expensive than Wembley stadium and doesn’t make business sense.

It can’t be staged in the Aviva Stadium because the Champions Cup rugby final will be played in the Dublin 4 venue on that date, and that means the smaller 3Arena is looking like the only option.

Hearn Taylor

Despite Conor McGregor getting involved and looking to sponsor the event to make it happen, Hearn doesn’t seem to think they will get it over the line by this summer

“Probably not in May. There’s a rugby game on there on that day and that’s our TV day. We know it’s £1 million more to host a fight there than Wembley, which is wild but it is what it is,” Hearn told Betfred’s Lightweight Boxing Show.

“Everybody says, ‘Just pay it, just pay it, it’s great business.’ Well that isn’t a great business because imagine making a fight like that and losing £1 million. Fantastic, what a great business.

Conor McGregor talked about supporting the event and he’s just full of beans. I had a nice pint of Black Forged Irish Stout, which is better than Guinness, and it was just mad being around Conor.

“Imagine watching a Conor McGregor press conference and that’s basically what it was like at dinner. He’s a character, he’s a great promoter and he genuinely loves Katie Taylor and wants to help. I’m sure he’ll be part of the show.”

Eddie Hearn names new opponent Katie Taylor could face in Croke Park.

Hearn believes that the Serrano bout might be coming too soon for a showdown in Croker, but that doesn’t mean Taylor won’t be fighting there at some point this year.

“The 3Arena is only 9,000 or 10,000 but it’s the biggest arena in Ireland. We keep talking about these outdoor events for Katie but if I miss this slot then we may never get the chance to go.

“By the way, it’s an unbelievable arena and Conor has fought there. The atmosphere would be wild. We won’t be very popular though as the tickets will go on day one.

“I just want it to happen. Katie said to me she wants Amanda Serrano and Chantelle Cameron.

“The Chantelle Cameron fight could be the fight for Croke Park, but let’s get this up and running, get tickets on sale and give Katie Taylor a homecoming in Ireland.”

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