’Croke Park or nowhere for me’ – Katie Taylor declares that she wants her last fight at GAA HQ only
The Bray boxer has suggested that if a bout at the GAA HQ can't be locked down, she may hang up her gloves for good.Taylor’s promoter and management sat down with Croke Park officials earlier this month to push forward negotiations for what would be a career-defining farewell fight at Ireland’s iconic stadium.Earlier in the year, Taylor pledged to having the final fight of her professional career in Dublin. Securing Croke Park as the venue has long been a driving ambition for Taylor, whose trailblazing in boxing has seen her claim world titles in two weight divisions and shatter barriers for women in the sport.When asked about the dream of her final fight on Newstalk, Taylor said: ‘’My team are working very hard behind the scenes to try and make that happen. There’s obviously so many considerations to make it happen, and we’re hoping to hear some news soon. The meeting that they had a couple of weeks ago, Eddie Hearn and my manager Brian [Peters], were in Croke Park a few weeks ago and the meeting was very, very positive. So, we’ll see what happens.‘’It’s the stadium that matters to me exactly. This career has been absolutely remarkable. The minute I put on my gloves at nine or ten years of age, I don’t think anyone could have imagined the career I’ve had.“From becoming an Olympic champion to becoming an undisputed champion, I don’t think anybody could have imagined this really, headlining stadiums like Madison Square Garden. Croke Park feels like the only way to actually end all this amazing career I’ve had.’Having twice fought in Dublin’s 3 Arena, she was asked if the Aviva Stadium would be good enough instead.Eddie Hearn and Anthony Joshua at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium during Tyson Fury’s recent fight (Bradley Collyer/PA)The world champion boxer said: "Croke Park or nowhere for me. If it doesn't happen, it would be very, very disappointing.”She added: ’It would be an absolute dream. It feels like the only way to wrap it up really would be to end my career on home soil in a big fight in Croke Park. And, not just for me, but for everybody else that has spent their hard-earned money supporting me around the world, and I want to put on a performance worthy of their support and encouragement throughout the years as well."I actually just even get emotional thinking about all the stadiums around the world with the song ‘Olé Olé Olé’. Imagine hearing 80,000 people in Croke Park singing that song for my last fight. I get goosebumps nearly thinking of it, to be honest. It would be the icing on the cake for me to end my career here.’"Usually after every fight, I'm thinking about the next milestone or the next level. But after Serrano, the last fight, I was thinking about what else is there to go after?"The only thing that would really interest me is the Croke Park fight. I felt like I was passing on the baton in a certain aspect. But I remember even speaking to my family the next morning at breakfast saying that this journey is coming to an end.Today's News in 90 Seconds - Tuesday, April 28 "We sat around the breakfast table just crying about all the amazing nights we had as a family on this amazing journey. We were hoping for one last night in Croke Park as a family, as a nation. It gives me goosebumps thinking about it."A September date has been suggested for the fight. With a Tyson Fury v Anthony Joshua contest not happening in Dublin, it would mean Taylor as the headline act, with numerous Irish fighters attached to the undercard.There is no obvious opponent apparent yet, but Taylor is unconcerned by that factor, only the location.She stated: "It would be the icing on the cake to end my career in Croke Park. I fought in Madison Square Garden. I fought in the Excel Arena in London. I fought all around the world. This might even top it, to be honest, if I ended my career here. So here's hoping."There is no opponent confirmed, to be honest, but I’m willing to fight anyone, whether it’s Holly Holm, Chantelle Cameron or anyone else. I think my whole career has stated I’ve never backed down from any challenge or any fight. That is why I’ve been involved in so many exciting fights in my career. I still have the heart for those big battles. Now one last time, we’ll see what happens."
