MATCHROOM chief Eddie Hearn has described UFC star Conor McGregor as a great promoter.
The Londoner says the former UFC champion will be a massive part of Katie Taylor’s homecoming event later this year.
The top boxing promoter flew into Ireland to hold talks with the Conor McGregor in a bid to bring Taylor’s blockbuster rematch with Amanda Serrano to GAA HQ as he revealed some details from the meeting.
Speaking with Betfred’s Lightweight Boxing Show, Hearn said: “Probably not in May. There’s a rugby game on there on that day and that’s our TV day. We know it’s £1 million more to host a fight there than Wembley, which is wild but it is what it is.
“Everybody says ‘Just pay it, just pay it, it’s great business’, well that isn’t great business because imagine making a fight like that and losing a £1 million. Fantastic, what great business.
“Conor McGregor talked about supporting the event and he’s just full of beans. I had a nice pint of Black Forged Irish Stout, which is better than Guinness, and it was just mad being around Conor. Imagine watching a Conor McGregor press conference and that’s basically what it was like at dinner.
“He’s a character, he’s a great promoter and he genuinely loves Katie Taylor and wants to help. I’m sure he’ll be part of the show.”
But a potential Croke Park date would only be possible later in 2023 as the Irish government ruled out any chance of the May 20 date for the ‘Bray Bomber’ and a stadium homecoming.
The May 20 fight now looks certain to take place at the 3Arena.
Hearn added: “The 3Arena is only 9,000 or 10,000 but it’s the biggest (indoor) arena in Ireland. We keep talking about these outdoor events for Katie but if I miss this slot then we may never get the chance to go.
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“By the way it’s an unbelievable arena and Conor has fought there. The atmosphere would be wild. We won’t be very popular though as the tickets will go on day one. I just want it to happen.”
Hearn says that Dublin’s Croke Park could see Taylor face undisputed light-welterweight champion Chantelle Cameron if the Bray native beat Serrano in the rematch.
Hearn concluded: “Katie said to me she wants Amanda Serrano and Chantelle Cameron. The Chantelle Cameron fight could be the fight for Croke Park, but let’s get this up and running, get tickets on sale and give Katie Taylor a homecoming in Ireland.”
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
