Eddie Hearn open to Katie Taylor fighting in Ireland

Undisputed world champion hasn’t fought in her hometown since turning professional

Ireland’s Katie Taylor during a public workout at Chase Square at Madison Square Garden. Photograph: Angela Weiss/Getty Images
Ireland’s Katie Taylor during a public workout at Chase Square at Madison Square Garden. Photograph: Angela Weiss/Getty Images

Despite the ongoing issues with insurance and promoting professional boxing in Dublin, Eddie Hearn believes Katie Taylor, who fights Amanda Serrano on Saturday night in New York may get an opportunity to stage one of her fights in Ireland.

The undisputed lightweight world champion, Taylor, has never fought in her hometown since turning professional after the Olympic Games in 2016. Since then she has remained unbeaten with 20 wins in 20 outings.

“I just think it would be very disappointing if she never got the chance to go to Ireland and let her have that moment. We will see what happens,” said Hearn in New York. “It’s too early to comment on anything that has happened, but if she beats Serrano maybe we could do the repeat there.”

Hearn was confident that Madison Square Garden would be a sell out and that the first professional female boxer he took on in the sport to promote is going to emerge a winner against the seven weight world champion.

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“Somebody said to me about the great turn out from the fans at the work-out. But this is just the media,” added Hearn, who was speaking in Madison Square Garden. “The event was not open to the public. It is unbelievable.

“We have sold 14,000 tickets; we are going to sell the whole thing out. It is only Wednesday. It is quite unusual in boxing to get such a feeling of good will for an event to do well. Most people have the voodoo dolls out and are sticking pins in me and hoping for rain when we have outdoor events. People here are just saying ‘what a great moment for boxing.’

Hearn admitted that Taylor stopping her hard hitting opponent was not something about which everyone was in agreement.

“I think Katie is going to stop her, I know it is not a popular pick. You always go Katie on points, but she has got that look in her eye. I saw her in the head-to-head yesterday.

“I have got to know Katie over the years. I know this week she isn’t messing around,” said Hearn.

“She is here to fight. This is her ‘Garden;’ this is her house, and these are the moments you see her at her very best. But Serrano looks great too; really strong and you can see the power of her punches. She is going to be very dangerous. It is going to be a thriller.”

Johnny Watterson

Johnny Watterson

Johnny Watterson is a sports writer with The Irish Times