Hearn plans to delay Katie Taylor World title fight
Matchroom boss Eddie Hearn believes his new Irish signing Katie Taylor could win a World title right now – but he intends to take it, somewhat, slowly.
The Bray super featherweight debuts this Saturday at the Wembley Arena, taking on Polish journeywoman Karina Kopinska over six rounds – although Hearn has little doubt that Taylor could beat one of the current World champions if she were to be pitted against them
That is not his plan however, and the English promoter wants to further build the profile of Taylor, who holds a comprehensive amateur win over WBC champion Eva Wahlstrom, before fighting for World honours.
Explaining the reasoning behind this, Hearn told Irish boxing writers yesterday that “some World champions she [Taylor] could beat now, but there’s no value in going out and winning a World title and no-one’s really learnt about the story yet, and about the product of women’s boxing.”
“I believe she could win a World title now, or in two or three fights time – but there’s no point in winning a World title now and not being able to capitalise on it, so we’ve got to grow and make her a huge star. We’ve got to show people her personality.”
“We need to follow the journey, let people know what she’s all about – she’s an inspiring individual, and I think people will really enjoy learning about her, and ultimately watching her fight.”
If and when Taylor does fight for World honours, Hearn wants it to be in Ireland. While Hearn admits that he will be bringing the Wicklow woman along slower than her talents would most likely allow, he still aims for her to be a World champion within a year. Hearn outlined how “we don’t want to abuse her popularity in Ireland, just presume that we can walk back in at any time and that it will sell out – it doesn’t work like that.”
“Ultimately the World title shot should come in Ireland, that’s the endgame, and that’s probably coming towards the end of next Summer. Our plan is to have about eight fights before the end of next Summer.”
