WBO Middleweight champion Andy Lee and trainer Adam Booth want Irish superstar Katie Taylor to fight on the undercard of Lee’s title defence in Thomond Park on September 19th.

The question was posed by the media at Wednesday’s press conference in London to promote Andy Lee’ and Billy Joe Saunders’ world title clash. Things quickly became awkward.

Lee’s trainer Booth confirmed he would like Taylor to be present on the bill. He then fired a slight dig at promotor Frank Warren. He said: “That would be a reason to put Katie Taylor on, not just because she’s an Irish heroine and she’s a female champion, Frank (Warren) has always gone on about how he hates female boxing.”

A smiling Warren appeared a bit embarrassed as he stuttered a response. “I have no problem with women’s boxing, if they want to box that’s their right, God bless them and they work very hard and their very skillful but I don’t particularly like… well I’ve never promoted…” Warren managed before changing the subject.

Irish fans would be thrilled to see Katie Taylor compete in Limerick. Taylor was a gold medalist at the London Olympics and has won five consecutive world amateur titles.

Challenger Billy Joe Saunders told iFL TV that he doesn’t like to see women get punched in the face but he takes nothing away from the achievements of the likes of Nicola Adams and Katie Taylor.