Katie Taylor will not have her big fight at Croke Park this summer, instead she will be fighting in the 3Arena.
A historic mid-May rematch between Taylor and Amanda Serrano had been floated for the home of the GAA but promoter Eddie Hearn, head of Matchroom, has been turned off by security costs.
Stadium director Peter McKenna was speaking to the media and said;
“The costs that I’m saying there are far less than what we would normally charge,” said McKenna. “Because we would love to have Katie Taylor fighting here, for all of the reasons…because the eyes of the world would be on us. We’re never shy in bringing world class events, like the Special Olympics or the papal visit.
It’s part of what we’re about but you’ve got to do it in a safe way. None of us want a big Euro 2020 scenario where there’s carnage all over the place.”
| An absolute disgrace that Katie Taylor won’t be able to fight in Croke Park
Instead the 8,000 seater 3Arena will be used
What an insult to one of Ireland’s best ever athletes pic.twitter.com/tMvXfthlHD
— IrishPropaganda (@IrishPropaganda) February 2, 2023
Does Croke Park really cost almost three times as much as Wembley stadium
“That is not the case”
Croke Park Stadium Director Peter McKenna responds to comments made by boxing promotor @EddieHearn and @arielhelwani about the Katie Taylor fight
“Our rent is market value” pic.twitter.com/O67EWLo27v
— Off The Ball (@offtheball) February 2, 2023
So 80,000 tickets x €60 =€4.8m
Rental of Croke Park =€400k or 8% of total ticket price
And Hearn wants either the GAA or the taxpayer to pay for security costs and not Matchroom?
And the GAA are the bad guys in all this ?#KatieTaylor
— The Premier 'View' (@PremierviewPod) February 2, 2023
.@EddieHearn if your stuck for a stadium for @KatieTaylor’s first professional Irish fight, @PaircUiCha0imh in Cork city is available on May 20, A stadium which can hold 44,000 seated and in terraces! In 1995, showcased Chris Eubank and Steve Collins! @BPPboxing @MatchroomBoxing
— Patrick Mulcahy (@PaMulSport) February 2, 2023
More must-reads:
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!