No “specific proposal” has yet been submitted to the government regarding a potential Croke Park farewell bout for Bray boxer Katie Taylor, according to Minister of State for Sport Charlie McConalogue.
At 39, Taylor has consistently expressed her desire to fight at the iconic venue, with her promoters, Matchroom Boxing—led by chairperson Eddie Hearn—already engaging in discussions with GAA officials about possibly staging a bout later this year, reports RTE.
Croke Park chief executive Peter McKenna recently commented that the stadium “would be able to facilitate” Taylor’s final fight, provided it also secured the opportunity to host the anticipated clash between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.
However, that particular contest is now being targeted for November at an indoor location, and Dublin is no longer viewed as a practical choice, with Hearn noting it had only been one of several options under review, reports RTE.
Matchroom Boxing remain committed to ensuring Taylor gets the chance to fight at GAA headquarters, and representatives from the promotion were in Dublin last Friday for further discussions.
Minister McConalogue acknowledged that a Croke Park appearance for Taylor would be “a really significant event at the end of her career,” but emphasised that no official discussions have occurred between the government and Matchroom Boxing بشأن potential funding, reports RTE.
While speaking at the announcement of a record €28.5 million allocation for Sport Ireland’s High Performance Unit, McConalogue addressed the matter.
“From a government point of view we haven’t received any specific proposal around a Katie Taylor fight as of yet, reports RTE.
“We have a very clear policy and approach around a major event strategy by which we benchmark any approach we would get in relation to supporting a major sporting event.”
“And if we get a proposal we would certainly consider it along the lines of that strategy, reports RTE.
The Donegal TD further stated that any use of public funds to support a fight at Croke Park would need to be justified.
“From the point of view of whether public funds would be attached to that, first of all we would have to receive a proposal from her promoters, and secondly we would have to assess it in line with our national event strategy as to whether it merits the investment of public funds and taxpayers money, reports RTE.
“It is an issue for Katie and her management team to decide where she would fight. If they were to approach the government and make a proposal we would then consider any proposal in line with the strategy of whether public funds should be invested in sporting events,” reports RTE.
“It is taxpayers money and we have to consider that is spent in a way that makes sense, reports RTE.
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