Katie Taylor homecoming fight in Croke Park back on cards

Katie Taylor’s homecoming fight is back on the cards as MMA superstar Cris Cyborg is willing to switch codes to make the bout happen.

The Brazilian, 36, wants to fight the 35-year-old Bray Bomber at Croke Park and it could happen this autumn.

She has been named as one of three potential opponents by the lightweight world champion’s promoter Eddie Hearn.

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Momentum had been building for a rematch between Taylor and Amanda Serrano at Croker in the autumn but hopes their Madison Square Garden classic could be reprised appear to be over.

Matchroom boss Hearn claimed Serrano and her promoter Jake Paul “don’t want to go to Ireland”.

But Cyborg told the Irish Mirror: “I am ready to sit down and talk to Eddie whenever he is ready. He has mentioned my name in the media a few times, but for me I am serious about getting into boxing and if he is serious about being my promoter then I would love to talk to him. What he has been able to do for all of women’s boxing, not just Katie Taylor, has really helped elevate the sport.

“I have told my management I am ready to sign a contract for my first professional boxing fight, the time is now.”

Cyborg fights at 145lbs, 10lbs heavier than Taylor’s lightweight limit, and she wants the 2012 Olympic gold medallist to come up in weight.

She added: “She would have to do what Floyd Mayweather did against Conor McGregor and come up in weight a little bit to give the fans the biggest fight that can be made in women’s boxing.”

But Taylor’s fans beside Croke Park say other fights wouldn’t carry the same emotion as a revenge rematch in front of 80,000 people this autumn.

The champ revealed her dream of fighting at the stadium after beating Serrano, 33, in their history-making New York bout on April 30.

Supporters still hope a high-profile homecoming fight can be arranged for Croker but neither Cyborg or MMS star Holly Holm generate the same level of interest as a grudge reunion.

Regardless of the opponent some councillors believe any Taylor fight in Dublin would get official backing.

Croke Park has a three-gig annual limit as it is in a densely populated residential.

Pat Gates of the Croke Park Area Residents’ Alliance said: “If it’s in 2023, it’s not a problem for me, if it is part of an overall Croke Park scheduling for yearly events. It has lost its hype a bit as the rematch was the big pull.

“Not sure if there would be the same enthusiasm or draw the same interest, if it was just for a homecoming bout with no real stakes.”

Mr Gates last month revealed hopes that planning permission would allow “Katie to fight at Croke Park, as it would be a special one-off event”.

Katie said after the historic win in New York: “We could sell out Croke Park. Imagine fighting in front of 80,000 people at Croke Park. Absolutely that can happen.”

But the GAA’s famous stadium has a three-gig annual limit as it is in a densely populated residential area where households fear they are disproportionately affected by events at Croker throughout the year.

The giant 82,000-capacity stadium has already staged two concerts by pop star Ed Sheeran and Garth Brooks is due to hold five more in September.

Dublin City Council controversially voted in favour of granting permission for the five Brooks gigs on top of the two Sheeran concerts.

And the Council would likely also have issued a licence to Croker to host Katie’s rematch with Serrano, according to local Cllr Nial Ring.

He said: This isn’t a case of a concert, this is a welcome home and a tribute to Katie.”

The rematch was dashed when Katie’s promoter Eddie Hearn revealed Serrano’s camp does “not want to go to Ireland and they don’t really want a rematch this year”.

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