Matchroom Boxing are working tirelessly behind the scenes to give Katie Taylor her fairytale send-off.
The Irish icon is set to have one last dance before calling time on a glittering career that has seen her transcend the sport.
2
Taylor has been out of action since her majority decision win over Serrano last JulyCredit: Esther Lin/MVP
Taylor has achieved everything there is to achieve in boxing.
From Olympic gold to undisputed supremacy at both lightweight and super lightweight in the paid ranks.
Yet one goal remains: a headline slot at Dublin’s iconic Croke Park.
Taylor has been campaigning for a fight at the 82,000-seater for the best part of five years.
READ MORE ON BOXING
However, the staggering operational and security expenses have proved to be a major stumbling block.
Her promoter, Eddie Hearn, has previously stated that it costs nearly three times as much to stage a fight at the Home of the Gaelic Games than it does at Wembley Stadium.
But Hearn and his staff are moving mountains to make Taylor’s dream come true.
According to esteemed boxing journalist Chris Mannix, Matchroom has provisionally booked Croke Park for September 5.
Who could Katie Taylor fight next?
Taylor’s opponent is reportedly set to be one of her three mandatories at 140lbs.
Edith Soledad Matthysse is the WBA interim champion, Patricia Berghult is ranked No.1 by the WBO, while the IBF has Flora Pili in pole position.
2
Taylor’s Croke Park is close to becoming a realityCredit: Sportsfile
Katie Taylor’s career achievements
Amateur career
2012 Olympic gold medallist
Five-time World Championship gold medallist
Six-time European Championship gold medallist
Professional career
Undisputed WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO lightweight world champion
Undisputed WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO super lightweight world champion
There had been genuine interest in a clash between Holly Holm and Taylor.
But back-to-back defeats to WBA lightweight champion Stephanie Han have seemingly spelt an end to those discussions.
Ronda Rousey had also been up for consideration as a dance partner, with BoxingScene reporting last December that both camps were locked into negotiations.
Ultimately, Rousey opted instead to face Gina Carano at Netflix’s inaugural MMA event last month.
She submitted Carano in 17 seconds and announced her retirement immediately afterwards.
Watch Boxing on DAZN
*If you click a link in this boxout, we will earn affiliate revenue
Sign up to DAZN to access the definitive subscription for boxing fans.
Upgrade to DAZN Ultimate from just £24.99/month, guaranteeing access to 185+ fights annually, a minimum of 12 pay-per-views at no extra cost, as well as every Lega Serie A match and other elite football access.
Alternatively, DAZN Standard is just £15.99/month, with the caveat you will have to pay for pay-per-view events.
Watch Boxing on DAZN
*If you click a link in this boxout, we will earn affiliate revenue
Sign up to DAZN to access the definitive subscription for boxing fans.
Upgrade to DAZN Ultimate from just £24.99/month, guaranteeing access to 185+ fights annually, a minimum of 12 pay-per-views at no extra cost, as well as every Lega Serie A match and other elite football access.
Alternatively, DAZN Standard is just £15.99/month, with the caveat you will have to pay for pay-per-view events.