Eddie Hearn keen on Queen Rose Volante next for Katie Taylor

Eddie Hearn wants Rose Volante [14(8)-0] to kick start a big 2019 for Katie Taylor.

Taylor [12(5)-0] cemented her status a genuine star of the sport with victory over Eva Wahlstrom in Madison Square Garden on Saturday night and has set her sights on becoming undisputed champion next year.

Before the weekend’s defence names like Volante, WBC champion Delfine Persoon, Amanda Serrano, and Cecilia Brækhus were dropped as potential foes for the IBF and WBA lightweight world champion for next year.

It seems Brazilian Volante is the first name on the Taylor hit list as the Matchroom boss eyes up another world title for the Bray native.

The WBO lightweight world champ has been mentioned before and was the preferred opponent for last weekend’s DAZN broadcast clash, but a fight between the pair has proved difficult to make, with the South American dragging her heels.

Talks continued even after the Wahlstrom match was made and it is believed that an agreement is, at last, close for a fight in March.

This bout would play out in Philadelphia on the undercard of Jono Carroll’s title challenge of IBF super feather king Tevin Farmer.

While Volante is the ideal opponent for the St Patrick’s Weekend fight night, Team Taylor are aware they may have to explore other options.

“Rose Volante is the one we want,” confirmed Matchroom’s Eddie Hearn.

“There are three fights we really want: Volante, Persoon, and Serrano – they’re the three I’d love her to have in 2019.”

“I don’t know what order yet but quite possible Volante will be next but we’re see,” Hearn revealed before reflecting on another eye-catching display.

“I thought Katie was fantastic again. Every time she fights now the crowd seem to say ‘wow wasn’t she incredible?'”

“You know exactly what you are going to get every time she goes into the ring. It was another great performance as we move on to a big 2019.”

‘The Queen Rose’ Volante won the pink WBO belt last December when she upset Argentine Brenda Carabajal, with early knockdowns earning her a majority decision to claim the vacant strap.

Since then, the 36-year-old has defended the belt twice with stoppages of Panamanian Lourdes Borbua and Colombian Yolis Franco.