‘Nervous’ Hearn predicts a bumpy ride for Katie Taylor in unification fight

Eddie Hearn admits he is nervous ahead of Katie Taylor’s [13(6)-0] massive undisputed fight which plays out in New York this weekend.

The Matchroom boss doesn’t believe he has made a mistake in pairing the IBF, WBA and WBO world lightweight champion with WBC world title holder Delfine Persoon [43(18)- 1(1)] on the undercard of Anthony Joshua’s American debut.

The promoter is confident of an Irish win in Madison Square Garden on Saturday and his nerves seem to generate more from his personal fondness of the Bray native and from knowing how important the achievement would be for his ‘favourite fighter’.

“I am nervous for her because I know what it means, but if she can do it it will be a really special moment for her, for us, for Ireland and I am really looking forward to seeing that fight,” Hearn explained when speaking to Matchroom boxing.

While Hearn is confident of a Taylor win come Saturday he does warn long reigning champ Persoon fancies the job and will ask questions of the London 2012 Olympic gold medal winner.

The promoter, who also looks after Jono Carroll and TJ Doheny and has a one fight deal with Tommy McCarhty, reveals team Persoon are coming full of confidence and predicts some rocky moments for the three belt champion on live on Dazn this weekend.

“I expect a bumpy ride in the that fight, but expect Katie Taylor to become undisputed champion on  Saturday night,” he added.

“In Persoon she has a difficult test. She has the speed advantage, you can say that about any fight she is in, but Persoon can hits very hard, she is 43-1, she is  undefeated in nearly nine years, they fancy this, they really fancy this.  Katie has got to do what she does, box to her game plan, I say don’t take many chances, but we know she does, she likes to light up the arena.”