IRISH boxing legend Katie Taylor has hinted at a final fight on home soil, saying: “Maybe at Croke Park? That would be unbelievable.”
The 39-year-old was last night hailed “Ireland’s greatest ever sports star” after her record-breaking trilogy win over nemesis Amanda Serrano in New York — which could be Taylor’s last ever bout.
However, the Bray bomber said she could be tempted back into the ring one final time, if she is allowed to fight at the home of the GAA.
This is a move backed by Sport Minister Charlie McConalogue — who told The Irish Sun on Sunday that the Government would be willing to step in to help make that happen.
Thousands of Irish boxing fans jammed into Madison Square Gardens in the early hours of Saturday morning to watch Katie take on her old foe Amanda to complete a box office smashing trilogy.
The first two clashes between the fighters were all-out brawls that left them bloodied and bruised — but had fans begging for more.
Both bouts were close decisions which led to calls for rematches.
However, last night’s trilogy closer was the Katie Taylor Show — with Serrano unable to land a glove on the Irish superstar.
Taylor — who bagged €6million for the win — played a clever game by avoiding a slug fest.
She instead used smart footwork to dance in and out of Serrano’s range while landing hard hits with one and two-punch attacks.
The judges awarded a majority decision win to Taylor with scores of 95-95, 97-93 and 97-93.
After the fight, Katie had just a minor graze under her right eye as she said: “It was an easy night for me tonight.”
When asked if she was going to get back into the ring again the multiple-weight world champ said: “I don’t know. I’m just going to enjoy this victory right now, sit back and reflect and then I’ll make a decision.
“I’ll make a decision on whether I will fight again in the future.”
Katie has long-held ambitions of fighting in Croke Park — an event that would no doubt be a sell-out, considering the huge Irish support that travels all over the world to watch her fight.
Asked about one final fight, Katie again flagged Croke Park as an event that could coax her back into the ring.
She said: “Maybe at Croke Park? That would be unbelievable.
“People are spending their hard earned money to come over and support me. It just means the world, honestly.
“I can’t believe I’m headlining a show in Maddison Square Gardens on an all-female card.
“Looking back on the journey, what an amazing life. These are nights that I dreamed of as a kid and to be sitting here again as a winner I’m so happy.”
Taylor’s team were previously in talks about holding a fight at Croke Park but her promoters eventually backed down due to the cost of hosting a one-off event in Dublin.
GOVERNMENT SUPPORT
However, Sport Minister Charlie McConalogue last night told The Irish Sun on Sunday that the State could help make the fight happen as he urged Katie’s promoters to get in touch with a proposal.
The Donegal TD said: “Last night’s fight in New York cements Katie Taylor’s status as a real legend of boxing.
“There has been constant support in Ireland for Katie throughout her career and her gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics was a real moment of national celebration.
“Since then, her progress to the pinnacle of professional boxing has been followed with great pride.
“She has led the growth of women’s professional boxing. It was wonderful to see her headlining an all-female card in one of the most iconic venues in world sport.”
The Minister added: “As for whether Katie might fight next in Ireland, that’s a matter for her promoters and for potential venues such as Croke Park to tease out and to assess the financial and logistical issues arising.
“When considering the provision of financial support to a major sports event, there is a range of considerations that the Department takes into account, including the value for money return on investment — in terms of economy and tourism — and the benefits for community/grassroots participation in the sport in question.
“The Department, when engaging with a possible major sports event, will ask the promoter to complete an Initial Event Assessment screening form and it’s on this basis that such proposals are considered.”
DOZEN MORE FIGHTS LEFT IN THE TANK
Meanwhile, Katie’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, seems keen to keep the Bray star in the ring — he joked that she has at least a dozen more fights left in the tank.
He said to her: “I think you’ve earned the right to do whatever you want. I think those fights with Amanda were great.
“I think if it was a really tough fight tonight then maybe we’d be sitting here and asking, ‘Is that the end of the road?’
“But I feel like Katie could do another 20 or 30 rounds.
“She’ll decide if she’s going to fight again. For me, I think she’s got at least another 11 or 12 left, to be honest with you.”
Fans were last night pleading with the Government, promoters and the GAA to make Katie’s dream of fighting in Croke Park come true as Taylor was also labelled “the greatest Irish sports star of all time”.
‘TRUE CHAMPION’
Former Irish footie hero Kevin Kilbane said: “True champion without a doubt regardless of the totally biased production and narrative.
“Katie Taylor is our greatest sportsperson. Hope she gets the homecoming fight she deserves!”
Irish boxing star Michael Conlan also backed Katie as the biggest Irish sportsperson in history.
He said: “Boxing clinch tonight, no wars needed just skill! The greatest Irish athlete of our time. Congrats champ.”
POLITICIANS PRAISE
Politicians from across the Dail also hailed Katie as a “hero for all time” as the nation celebrated her win last night.
Taoiseach Micheal Martin said: “Simply amazing, Katie Taylor. The undisputed world champion again. A masterclass — full of discipline, power and precision.
“No fan of boxing, in Ireland or across the world, will ever forget what you achieved.”
Tanaiste Simon Harris added: “Katie has done it again. The greatest of all time.”
And Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald said: “Undisputed! She did it again! Taylor is STILL the Champion of the World! Her legacy cemented. A hero of the Irish nation for all time.”
The build-up to the trilogy had been filled with trash talk between Katie and Puerto Rican star Amanda Serrano — whose careers have been tied together with a series of incredible fights.
However, after the final bell went Katie showed her class as a true champ by paying tribute to Serrano in her ring interview.
‘WE MADE HISTORY’
Katie said: “First of all, I want to thank God for an amazing victory. Thank you, Jesus. I needed a lot of help, a lot of strength today.
“I can’t tell you the amount of people that are in the stadium right now praying for me for this particular fight — that gives you the strength to step in here.”
She added: “I want to thank Amanda Serrano as well. What an amazing fighter. We made history again. Three times.
“Such an historic fight and it’s such a privilege to share the ring with her. We’re history makers forever and my name is embedded with Amanda’s forever.”
In response, Katie’s old foe heaped praise on the Irish fighter as she said: “So blessed to have shared the ring with such an amazing fighter.
“To be considered the greatest you have to act like one. She does that both in and out of the ring.”
