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Katie Taylor is Eddie Hearn’s “Favourite Fighter in the World”


He currently represents over 70 fighters but Eddie Hearn admits that Ireland’s Katie Taylor is his number one.

The Matchroom boss has described the WBA-IBF lightweight champion as “probably my favourite fighter in the world.”

Hearn has been working with Taylor [12(5)-0] since 2016 after being approached by the amateur legend following her disastrous Rio Olympic campaign.

In conjunction with manager Brian Peters, the close-knit team have helped enable Taylor to race to world title honours in seven fights, unified status in nine, and establish herself as the head of the rising women’s side of the sport.

The next step for Taylor is Rose Volante in Philadelphia on St Patrick’s Weekend which would see her attempt to add the WBO title to her collection and move within touching distance of undisputed status.

Fight boss Hearn is enjoying the ride and admitted to IFL TV that “Katie Taylor is probably my favourite fighter in the world.”

Having been a trailblazer in the amateur game, Taylor is helping bring women’s boxing to the next level in the pros – for example, becoming the first female fighter to headline a Sky Sports card.

The Wicklow fighter’s attitude stuns Hearn who noted how “there are so many doubters and, every time that she fights, you knock off some of those doubters – the ones that say ‘oh, I hate women’s boxing, it’s not for me’.”

“You watch her light up every venue that she ever boxes at. I have so much respect for her, she is purely driven by legacy, purely driven by legacy.”

Volante and the pink WBO belt is the next bit of legacy for Taylor and Hearn admits he was delighted to secure the fight which had looked to have passed us by.

The English promoter recalled how “when I delivered that unification for her against Volante, I can’t tell you how pleasing that was.”

“I tried my nuts off to get that fight and we got it. I texted her and said ‘there it is!’ and I sent her a copy of the signed contract because I know how much it means to her.”

“Win that fight then it’s Delfine Persoon for the undisputed championships.”

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Joe O'Neill

Reporting on Irish boxing the past five years. Work has appeared on irish-boxing.com, Boxing News, the42.ie, and local and national media. Provide live ringside updates, occasional interviews, and special features on the future of Irish boxing. email: joneill6@tcd.ie

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