‘Whats the Point’ – Croke Park Bound Brennan Admits he Questioned Boxing Future
Emmet Brennan admits he may have considered saying farewell to professional boxing if he hadn’t been offered a slot on Katie Taylor’s farewell card.
The Olympian takes on undefeated Matchroom prospect Taylor Bevan on the undercard of the Irish Icon’s Croke Park clash with Flora Pili.
The clash will form part of a landmark night at the iconic venue.
However, the Dublin Docklands graduate admits the opportunity seemed a long way away during a frustrating period that saw fight after fight fail to materialise.
The 35-year-old, who was also offered an August clash this summer, hasn’t stepped through the ropes since defeating Kerry’s Kevin Cronin in March of 2025 and says the prolonged inactivity eventually led him to question whether continuing to invest in his career was worthwhile.
“I still kept on chipping away and chipped away hoping for something like this to come along,” Brennan told Irish-boxing.com.
“And it’s here in front of me now. It’s my time and it’s up to me. It’s up to me to win. Realistically, it was probably going to get to a point unless a big fight did come up.
“What is the point if it goes on the way it’s been going for the last six months? Maybe two years out of the ring.”
Ironically, the situation was made even more difficult by the fact Brennan has such a strong following.
“Are you still boxing? When is your next fight? There was a lot of people that asked me when you’re fighting again. Are you going to bother again? Are you retired? Did you hang up the gloves? It became hard.
“It’s more like then you start doubting yourself because you know, other people start thinking about it as well.”
Walking away was never something the ever-ambitious super middleweight could fully bring himself to do. His resilience was rewarded with a massive opportunity against the Welsh Matchroom prospect, the type of career-enhancing bout his age dictates he needs moving forward.
“I don’t want to do the small fights against journeymen anymore,” he said.
“I’ve been to the Olympic Games. I’ve won huge titles as a pro. I know I’m only 6-0, but I just don’t see the point in going back to fighting journeymen.
“It’s either big fights or nothing for me at the moment.”
And with Bevan standing opposite him at Croke Park, Brennan finally has the kind of opportunity he had been waiting for.
The 35-year-old sees the knockout artist as a potential passport to a contract with the Eddie Hearn-run Matchroom.
“This opportunity that has approached me has the potential to change my career.
“I believe I will get the win.
“I’ll hopefully get some sort of contract with Matchroom after that and just push on with my career.”
