“I just want to fight in Dublin to end my career. Obviously, we are still hoping for Croke Park, hanging on to a bit of hope that it can happen,” Taylor said to RTE.
“Fighting my last fight in our most iconic arena, how special would that be? I think it would be absolutely remarkable if I was able to do that. I’m not sure if it’s going to happen or not. Either way, I’ll be ending my career here, and I’m very excited about that.”
Taylor has fought in Ireland only twice as a professional, both bouts coming in 2023 against Chantelle Cameron at Dublin’s 3Arena. Cameron won their first fight by majority decision to hand Taylor the only defeat of her career before Taylor reclaimed the undisputed junior welterweight championship six months later in their rematch.
The 38-year-old Irish star remains one of the most accomplished fighters in women’s boxing history. Taylor won Olympic gold at the 2012 Summer Olympics before turning professional and quickly collecting world titles across two divisions. She became undisputed lightweight champion in 2019 and later repeated the feat at 140 pounds.
Much of Taylor’s recent profile has been built through her rivalry with Amanda Serrano. Their first fight at Madison Square Garden in 2022 was widely celebrated and helped elevate the visibility of women’s boxing. Taylor later completed the trilogy with a majority decision win in July, moving her record to 25-1 (6 KOs).
The possibility of a stadium farewell has become a focus for her longtime promoter. Hearn acknowledged that turning the idea into reality would require significant work, but believes the moment would be historic for Irish sport.
“That’s a shitload of work to make sure that one of the greatest athletes of all time gets her ultimate dream. And I have to deliver Croke Park. I have to,” Hearn said on The Ariel Helwani Show.
“If I don’t give this everything, if I don’t try my very hardest to make this a reality, I’m not doing Katie justice, and I’m not doing myself justice. Because this would be the greatest sporting event ever in the history of Ireland.”
Hearn said discussions with Croke Park officials have taken place previously and have resumed again as Taylor’s career nears its conclusion.
“This time there’s more momentum,” he said.
No opponent has been identified for Taylor’s final fight. Hearn said the focus remains on determining whether the stadium plan can be secured before moving forward with matchmaking.
“You obviously want to have an opponent that is compelling, is competitive, there’s a storyline behind,” Hearn said. “Nothing really discussed or spoken about an opponent. It’s really trying to get the conversations with Croke Park into that being a possibility before we move forward with that.”
#Eddie #Hearn #Pushing #Croke #Park #Fight #Katie #Taylor
