Katie Taylor: Promoter Eddie Hearn says Irishwoman's next fight is 'unlikely' to be at Croke Park

Katie Taylor's next fight is likely to be the trilogy with Chantelle Cameron - but the chances of it taking place at Dublin's 80,000-seater Croke Park are doubtful, says promoter Eddie Hearn.

Ireland's Taylor defeated Cameron at the 3Arena in November to cancel out the English fighter's victory in May.

Hearn expects a potential third fight to take place by June at the latest.

"We're considering a number of venues in Ireland but it's unlikely to be Croke Park," the Matchroom boss added.

Taylor, 37, has always been keen on fighting at the venue before she retires.

It is thought the cost of renting and security for staging a fight at Croke Park has been the significant stumbling block in previous negotiations.

Hearn had previously called on the Gaelic games' stadium and the Irish government to help make Taylor's dream of competing at Croke Park a reality.

But the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media told BBC Sport on Wednesday it had not received an application or any notice for a fight to happen.

"It is worth noting that a range of considerations are taken into account by the Department whenever it is asked to provide financial support to a major sports event," it added in a statement.

Speaking to BBC Sport on Thursday, Hearn says while "it is still very expensive", he has "had some very good conversations" with Croke Park officials and not ruled out Taylor fighting at the venue in the future.

"They understood the magnitude of the event and it's something which is very important to Katie Taylor," he added.

"But it's the issue of aligning TV dates and trying to get it right. We're certainly looking to make sure her next fight is in Ireland and that will be announced in the next couple of weeks."

Bray native Taylor avenged the only loss on her record against 32-year-old Cameron to become a two-weight undisputed champion.

While a third fight is the preferred option, Hearn has not ruled out a rematch with Amanda Serrano.

Puerto Rican Serrano, 35, was outpointed by Taylor in their historic 2022 contest - the first time two female fighters had sold out New York's iconic Madison Square Garden.

"The Serrano fight is still a fight which definitely works, but the first two fights with Cameron were two fight of the year contenders and I think the focus is definitely on the trilogy," added Hearn.

"The latest would be early June but, in an ideal world, we'd like that to take place in May."

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