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Boxing

30th Oct 2016

Katie Taylor being lined up for huge world title fight on Irish soil in 2017

The pride of Bray will make her pro debut in November

Ben Kiely

Katie Taylor only turned pro last Thursday, but there is already talk of her competing for a world title as early as next year.

The Olympic gold medalist and five-time world amateur champion officially made the switch to the pro leagues last week.

Famed promoter Eddie Hearn, head of Matchroom, confirmed that she will make her debut in Wembley on November 26, but he is expecting the Irish star to reach even more dizzying heights in the sport as a pro.

Hearn told the Sunday World that he is already eyeing up a world title fight for Taylor next year should she hit the ground running as he expects her too. If she manages to string a few wins together, he believes it’s not beyond the realm of possibility that she would be fighting for a belt on home soil.

“Katie will be making her professional debut at Wembley Arena on November 26 and I don’t think it’s unrealistic for her to be fighting for a world title in a Dublin stadium next summer.”

“If this goes as I think it will, we believe that in three or four fights, we could look at getting Katie into the mix for a world title fight. Should that happen there is no doubt in my mind that she could be the headline fight at a stadium in Dublin.”

With Taylor already being a big name in the sport due to her storied career as an amateur, he envisages her becoming the next big poster girl for the sport.

“My office in London has been inundated with interest since we confirmed Katie has turned professional with us and the excitement around this confirms that the appetite is there for women’s boxing now that maybe wasn’t there a few years ago.”

“Katie is a wonderful boxer and never mind that she is a woman, she will promote this sport with her performances in these first few fights.”

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