Conlan Willing to Fight for Free on Taylor’s Croke Park Card

Michael Conlan, the Olympic medalist, has expressed his willingness to fight for free on the undercard of a potential farewell bout for Katie Taylor at Croke Park in Dublin this summer. The gesture underscores the deep respect and camaraderie within Irish boxing, as Taylor aims to conclude her illustrious professional career with a landmark event on home soil.

Taylor’s Farewell Fight: A Dream Venue

Katie Taylor is currently planning a final professional fight in Dublin, with Croke Park as her preferred venue. The iconic GAA headquarters would provide a fitting stage for the 2012 Olympic champion to cap off her remarkable career. However, negotiations are ongoing, and alternative venues such as Aviva Stadium and the 3Arena remain possibilities if an agreement for Croke Park cannot be reached.

Conlan’s Offer: A Gesture of Support

Speaking on RTÉ Radio 1’s Inside Sport, Conlan stated he would “100%” be honored to forgo his fight earnings if given the opportunity to compete on the same card as Taylor at Croke Park. “Do you know what? I would rather have Katie have it herself,” Conlan said. “But if they asked me to come on it, it would be an honour. If a world title fight was on it, I’d basically fight for free. If I had a world title fight on that card, a free one I would do.”

Conlan’s Upcoming Bout and Career Goals

Conlan is currently preparing for his own fight against unbeaten American Kevin Walsh at the SSE Arena in Belfast on Friday night. The bout will be for the WBC International featherweight title. The 34-year-old Conlan emphasized his ambition to become a world champion, stating, “The reason I’m back is to be a world champion.” He acknowledged that his recent fights have been challenging, but he is determined to change his fortunes and secure a world title opportunity later this year. He is currently in talks regarding a potential WBC world featherweight belt fight.

Looking Ahead

Both Taylor and Conlan face crucial moments in their careers as they pursue their respective goals. While Taylor aims for a memorable farewell fight, Conlan is focused on reclaiming championship status. The possibility of both athletes sharing the same card at Croke Park would undoubtedly be a momentous occasion for Irish boxing fans.