Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn revealed yesterday he and Conor McGregor are “trying to find a way to make Croke Park happen” for Katie Taylor.
They spoke after the Notorious tweeted that he would pay the €500,000 security bill for a fight at the stadium. Undefeated lightweight champ Taylor is due to slug it out with Amanda Serrano in a hyped rematch on May 20.
But hopes of staging the epic battle at Croke Park were dealt a blow after the GAA revealed the bombshell security costs. Hearn said he was having discussions with McGregor.
Read more: Boxing promoter responds to Conor McGregor's offer to foot €500,000 bill for Katie Taylor fight
He added: “It’s smart marketing for Proper 12. But also obviously he’s a passionate Irishman who loves Katie Taylor and wants to see her accomplish her dream which is one, to fight in Ireland, and two, to potentially do it at Croke Park.
“We talked and he wanted the background, why were the costs so high, what could we do about it and was there an opportunity for Proper 12 as well.
"I think Conor’s main priority is to see history made in Ireland. We went backwards and forwards.
“We’re going to speak again this week and I may well fly to Ireland this week as well for a few meetings.
“He spoke about the process for Katie Taylor, which is it 3Arena and then Croke Park or do we try and find a way to make Croke Park happen in May. We know there are obstacles there but whatever happens, Katie Taylor’s next fight will be in Ireland and it was very helpful to have a chat with the champ to see what he could do to help.”
Taylor, 36, wouldn’t comment on where the fight would be, but described her rematch with 34-year-old Serrano on Irish soil as “a dream come true”.
Read more: Conor McGregor offers to foot €500,000 bill for Katie Taylor fight
She added: “This is more than a dream come true – my debut in Ireland against Amanda Serrano, ‘The Real Deal’ Amanda Serrano.
“The last fight was epic, and I expect nothing less for the next one.”
Featherweight Serrano had previously said the only fight she would move in weight class for would be a rematch against Taylor, who beat her at Madison Square Garden last May.
However, Serrano had better luck on Saturday as she returned to the venue to be crowned the undisputed featherweight world champion with a victory over Erika Cruz.
Taylor, who attended the fight, admitted she was cheering for Serrano to win, as it now means the pair will face off with both of them undisputed champions at different weight divisions. Taylor said: “I wanted this fight. Undisputed vs undisputed champion.
“It’s going to be great in Ireland fighting the real deal, Amanda Serrano. This is incredible and the last fight was epic, so I expect nothing less from the next one.
“This is the biggest fight in women’s boxing, and I only want to do the biggest fights. This is exactly what I want.”
Serrano’s team said they are happy for her to fight in Ireland. Trainer Jordan Maldonado added: “[Taylor] fought us here in New York.
“We’re Puerto Rican, but this is basically our home. One of the things I had said is the only way I would take the Katie Taylor fight is if it is in Ireland. She deserves it.”
Serrano told ESPN in December: “A lot of people want to see the fight, and I think it solidifies women’s boxing.”
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