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Hearn wants Katie Taylor to top Croke Park bill, rules out Fury-Joshua in Dublin / Photo: Ed Mulholland - GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP
Hearn wants Katie Taylor to top Croke Park bill, rules out Fury-Joshua in Dublin
Eddie Hearn said on Wednesday Katie Taylor deserves top-billing for her farewell fight at Croke Park as he ruled out the Dublin stadium staging the long-awaited 'Battle of Britain' clash between former world heavyweight champions Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury.
Hearn travels to Dublin on Friday to finalise negotiations for what is expected to be the last appearance of London 2012 Olympic gold medallist and multiple professional world champion Taylor's celebrated career.
Croke Park chief executive Peter McKenna said last week the stadium, which has a capacity of over 82,000, "would be able to facilitate" the 39-year-old Taylor's farewell if it also won the race to stage Joshua's bout against Fury.
But with what could be the biggest fight in British boxing history now being lined up for November, Dublin is no longer seen as a viable option.
"If this (Joshua v Fury) takes place in November, it won't be outdoors in Dublin and so therefore we just want to move forward with Katie Taylor," Matchroom promoter Hearn said.
"With all due respect, I don't think it's the place to do this fight, either. Also, absolutely over my dead body is Katie Taylor going on an undercard at Croke Park.
"We'll find out more on Friday. We're ready to go and are up for doing it. Not necessarily with a finalised opponent, but in terms of the costs and the running of the show."
D.Mayer--BlnAP
