Will Katie Taylor Fight At Croke Park? Still More Than A Puncher’s Chance

on February 3, 2023 at 1:25 pm

Will Katie Taylor fight at Croke Park? It’s the question on the mind of every Irish sports fan over these past few days.

Another burning question is – who is to blame if Taylor doesn’t get a dream fight at Croke Park? Well, opinion is split here. Many people are blaming the GAA for not being accommodating of the legendary Irish fighter and her promoter Eddie Hearn. Others have criticised Hearn for being too greedy.

Even the Irish government has not escaped blame in this saga with fingers being pointed at them for not facilitating Hearn or Croke Park in ensuring such a landmark event takes place in Ireland’s finest and most culturally significant stadium.

Next Fight Set For 3Arena But Croke Park Not Out Of Picture

Unfortunately for Taylor and Irish sports fans, it looks like the big homecoming fight is now set for the 3Arena which can only hold about 9,000 fans. However, it is important to note that a Croke Park fight this year is not off the table altogether.

Speaking on Ariel Helwani’s show The MMA Hour, Hearn said,

Now we’ll be in a big arena in Dublin, subject to Serrano winning and subject to tying up a deal, and then hopefully in September we revisit Croke Park

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Hearn Claims Croke Park 3x More Expensive Than Wembley

Hearn has made the claim that it is three times more expensive to rent out Croke Park for a fight than it is Wembley Stadium. The British promoter claims that he wanted to have Taylor’s next fight in Croke Park but that the GAA are asking for too much money in return for the use of the venue.

Famous combat sports journalist and podcaster Ariel Helwani, who interviewed Hearn recently, tweeted this on the issue

I refuse to believe Croke Park can’t get done for Katie Taylor. She deserves it, her fans deserve it, the country deserves it, women’s boxing deserves it.

Irish sports fans were beginning to turn on Croke Park’s decision makers with Hearn and Helwani putting the blame on them for not doing enough to make Katie Taylor fighting in Croke Park a reality.

Keep up to date with the Katie Taylor and Croke Park saga along with all our boxing and combat sport coverage on the BoyleSports blog.

Croke Park Still Open To Taylor Fight In September

Croke Park hit back yesterday at some of the claims made by Hearn. The Croke Park commercial director Peter McKenna, in an interview with Off The Ball, rebuffed the claim that Croke Park was three-times more expensive than Wembley and stated that

Our rent is market value

McKenna, in the same interview, suggested that a May date for Taylor fighting in Croke Park was off the cards, but that they would still be open to a date in September to host Taylor.

Taylor Eager To Follow In Ali’s Footsteps With Croke Park Fight

The great Muhammad Ali was the last fighter to take to the ring in Croke Park all the way back in 1972. Ali, in front of a 25,000 strong Irish crowd, capped off the occasion with an 11th round knockout of opponent Al ‘Blue’ Lewis. McKenna finished his interview with Off The Ball by saying that

Katie Taylor is a superstar, you’d love to have her here. The last superstar to box in Croke Park was Muhammad Ali and I think she’s of the same vintage.

Katie Taylor v Amanda Serrano Part II

Taylor and Serrano have already fought once before. That fight was last April and was a historic occasion, dubbed as the biggest fight ever in women’s boxing history.

The two went head-to-head in New York’s world famous Madison Square Garden and were the first two female fighters to headline an event at MSG. On the night it was Taylor who emerged victorious on a points decision.

Serrano Must Beat Cruz To Earn Katie Taylor Croke Park Rematch

Amanda Serrano takes on Erika Cruz this weekend and a win for Serrano would set up a massive undisputed title fight back in Ireland. The Puerto Rican boxer is a heavy favourite to beat Cruz and anything but a comfortable victory would be a shock in the world of women’s boxing.

All the conversation surrounding where Katie Taylor’s next fight will be is pending Serrano winning this bout so a loss would really throw the cat amongst the pigeons.

Katie Taylor v Amanda Serrano Betting Odds

Katie Taylor is already being backed to assert her authority over rival Amanda Serrano after the pair were pencilled in for a blockbuster rematch at Dublin’s 3Arena in May.

BoyleSports immediately had to cut the ‘Bray Bomber’ into 8/13 after chalking her up at 8/11 to overcome the Puerto Rican again following their initial clash at Madison Square Garden in New York last year, which the Irish woman won by split decision.

Taylor was taken the distance for her ninth straight fight last time out against Argentine Karen Elizabeth Carbajal, but a unanimous decision ensured she took her unblemished professional record to 22 bouts to remain undisputed lightweight world champion.

Serrano has been made the 13/10 underdog for the bout, which will go ahead if she justifies hot odds of 1/7 by getting the better of Erika Cruz in their featherweight clash this weekend.

Taylor also scooped the RTÉ Sportsperson of the Year award for the third time in December and she is an early frontrunner to do so again this year at 2/1.

Lawrence Lyons, spokesperson for BoyleSports said:

It may not be the Croke Park blockbuster she craved, but our traders have been put on the ropes already by an avalanche of support for another Katie Taylor victory.

They’re piling in even at odds-on prices and if it’s anything like the last meeting we’re in for a treat.”

Click Below For Taylor v Serrano Betting Odds