Eddie Hearn Pushes for Katie Taylor's Farewell Fight at Croke Park

Prominent boxing promoter Eddie Hearn is set to meet with officials from Croke Park this week to finalize arrangements for Katie Taylor's anticipated farewell fight at the iconic Dublin venue. Hearn has firmly stated that Taylor, a two-weight undisputed champion and one of the greatest female boxers of all time, must headline her final bout, rejecting any notion that she could fight on the undercard of a potential heavyweight clash between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury.

"There is absolutely no way... Over my dead body, is Katie Taylor going on the undercard of any card at Croke Park," Hearn declared emphatically, as reported by ESPN. Taylor, who holds a professional record of 25 wins and one loss, is expected to retire in 2026, making her farewell fight at Croke Park a highly anticipated event for her fans and supporters.

Hearn's comments come in light of Croke Park's chief executive, Peter McKenna, previously indicating that the venue could host Taylor's farewell if it also secured the rights to stage the Joshua-Fury bout. Yet, with that fight now scheduled for November, Hearn believes the timing makes Dublin an unsuitable location for such an event. "If this (Joshua v Fury) takes place in November, it won’t be outdoors in Dublin, and so, we just want to move forward with a Katie Taylor fight," Hearn said.

Hearn is scheduled to travel to Dublin on April 17, 2026, to advance negotiations for what is expected to be Taylor's last professional appearance. He expressed his frustration at the earlier suggestion that Taylor might not headline the event, emphasizing the need for her to receive the recognition she deserves. "If there is a fight at Croke Park, it should be Katie Taylor, and Katie Taylor only," he stated. "This is the moment where Irish sport stops and pays homage to what is not just one of the greatest people of all time, but one of the greatest athletes ever to come out of Ireland. She deserves this so much, and we’ll do everything we can to make it happen."

As Taylor approaches her 40th birthday in July, the boxing world is eager to see who will be her final opponent. Though no official challenger has been confirmed, several names have emerged as potential rivals. Most Valuable Promotions co-founder Nakisa Bidarian mentioned unified lightweight champion Caroline Dubois as an ideal opponent, expressing hopes that Taylor could pass the torch to her in what he described as a "massive fight at Croke Park." Meanwhile, Lauren Price, the unified welterweight champion, has also expressed interest in facing Taylor, though she is currently in talks to fight Claressa Shields.

Hearn's determination to secure Taylor's farewell fight at Croke Park reflects both the immense public demand for the event and the significance of Taylor's legacy in boxing. As a former Olympic gold medalist and multiple world champion, Taylor has made a lasting impact on the sport, and her final bout is expected to draw a large crowd to the 82,000-seat stadium.

In light of the recent developments, Hearn remains optimistic about the negotiations. "We’ll find out more on Friday. We’re ready to go and are up for doing it. Not necessarily with a finalized opponent, but in terms of the costs and the running of the show," he explained.

As the boxing community prepares for this monumental occasion, the focus now shifts to the negotiations set to take place in Dublin. Taylor's farewell fight a celebration of her illustrious career, and fans are eager to witness her go out on a high note. With Hearn's commitment to ensuring that Taylor headlines the event, the stage is set for a memorable night in the history of Irish sports.

As plans continue to take shape, the anticipation surrounding Taylor's farewell fight at Croke Park is only expected to grow. The boxing world closely as Hearn and Croke Park officials work to finalize the details of what could be one of the most historic events in Irish sporting history.