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13th Feb 2024

Katie Taylor’s hopes for fight in Croke Park fade as potentially unpopular solution emerges

Simon Kelly

“You have to lock something in at some point.”

It is looking increasingly unlikely that the fight to end Katie Taylor‘s trilogy series with Chantelle Cameron will happen in Croke Park.

At the end of their second fight, where Taylor defeated Cameron to become undisputed two-weight world champion, the Bray fighter had the Irish crowd roaring by demanding a Croker fight.

Although, with the clock now ticking on a fight in May, hopes drift further away from the GAA headquarters, with alternative options now being considered by promoter Eddie Hearn.

Hopes for Katie Taylor fight in Croke Park fading as unpopular solution emerges

Speaking to Boxing Social in London over the weekend, Hearn discussed the next Taylor fight, saying:

“Talks go on and on and on and eventually you’re in February now and Katie’s next fight is in May. So we have to make a move.

However, Croker is not the most likely Irish arena for the trilogy fight at this point, with Hearn mentioning a return to familiar territory – the 3Arena.

The venue hosted two excellent Taylor vs Cameron bouts last year. It would, however, potentially be a disappointing choice for the trilogy bout as many sports fans were desperate to see Katie fight at GAA HQ.

“There is a chance we could return to the 3Arena,” he said.

“For us we still like the idea of fighting Chantelle Cameron. We’d like to do that outdoors. You have to lock something in at some point. We’ve had two incredible nights at the 3Arena. It could be a third.”

Talks were due to take place between Hearn and Croke Park in January, but his most recent comments seem to suggest that the iconic venue is not a runner at the moment.

The promoter also revealed that there have been offers “from around the world”, with a return to the United States also on the cards.

“There is a chance she could fight internationally and of course there is America.

“A fight for Katie Taylor in America is a huge thing, particularly on the east coast. She also has aspiration to fight in Las Vegas.

“You could take her to Boston, Philadelphia, New York. She sells out everywhere. She has a lot of options.”

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