‘Biggest Night in the History of Irish Sport’ – Eddie Hearn Makes Huge Katie Taylor Croke Park Claim
Croke Park will play host to the biggest night in the history of Irish sport this Saturday night, says Eddie Hearn.
The English promoter believes Katie Taylor’s farewell will go down in Irish sporting folklore.
The Matchroom CEO has promoted the Bray native through her groundbreaking career and thus has seen some huge nights.
However, he admits he has never experienced anything comparable to what awaits on Saturday night.
Furthermore, he believes the two weight undisputed world champion’s final fight has the potential to become the greatest female sporting event ever staged and, more significantly, the biggest sporting occasion Ireland has witnessed.
“Saturday will be, as far as I’m concerned, the biggest moment in Katie Taylor’s career, the biggest night in the history of Irish sport, the biggest female sporting event of all-time and, for me personally without question, the biggest and greatest night of my career,” Hearn said in Dublin this week.
“I’ve never looked forward to a night like this in my whole life.”
It is a remarkable claim from the man who has been involved in some of the biggest events boxing has produced in recent years.
But the numbers behind Taylor’s farewell help explain why Hearn believes Saturday could stand apart.
More than 80,000 fans will pack into Croke Park, while those unable to secure a ticket will be able to watch Taylor’s final professional fight free-to-air on RTÉ, ensuring the occasion reaches every corner of the country.
Tickets sold out in just 17 minutes.
Taylor’s manager Brian Peters admits the demand created a problem of its own, with thousands of fans unable to get inside the stadium.
“Fortunately, unfortunately, the tickets all sold out in 17 minutes. Over 80,000, so that was quite magical,” Peters said.
“But then the next problem was there’s so many people that don’t get to see the show.
“It’s great that RTÉ has it so it’s going to be in the four corners of the Republic of Ireland.”
For Peters, Saturday is no longer simply a boxing event or even the farewell fight of Ireland’s greatest boxing star.
He believes it has become a sporting and cultural moment without comparison.
“Not only is it a historical, iconic sporting cultural moment… I’m not sure what you could compare it to, I don’t think there’s been anything like it before,” he said.
And Hearn expects the memories created inside Croke Park – and in homes around Ireland – to last for generations.
“I think what you are about to witness will be one of the most memorable occasions that everybody who has bought a ticket, everybody inside Croke Park and everybody tuned in around the world on DAZN, and in Ireland on RTÉ, will never, ever forget.
“And that is what great sport is all about: those memorable moments that leave you on the edge of your seat and make your eyes well up.”
For Essex fight make, this is the final chapter of a career that has already transformed Irish and women’s boxing.
For respected manager Peters, it is the culmination of a journey that has made Taylor much more than a world champion.
“Not only is she Ireland’s greatest sports person of all time – no disrespect Roy Keane, you’re a good second – but she’s one of the greatest Irish people of all time,” Peters said.
“We’re all honoured and privileged to be part of the journey.”
