
Katie Taylor retirement latest as Eddie Hearn makes admission
The 39-year-old produced a brilliant performance to beat Amanda Serrano for a third time over the weekend and now has a decision to make on her future.
Hearn, who has been Taylor's promoter for all 26 of her professional fights, is unsure what the undisputed super-lightweight champion will ultimately decide to do.
But he admits she might have fought for the last time, with her majority-decision win at Madison Square Garden following two other victories over Serrano at the same venue in 2022 and in Texas last November.
"It's the first time I've ever heard her say 'I'll see if I fight again'. I think at the moment, I honestly couldn't tell you with any confidence if she'll fight again," Hearn told the Irish Mirror.
"But it was one of her best ever performances and it's very difficult to finish when you feel like 'I boxed really well'.
"Her legs looked better than ever, her sharpness was better than ever so I honestly don't know.
"If she turns around this week and says 'I'm done', I'd be very happy."
On Taylor's performance, the Matchroom boss added: "We've never really experienced that sort of performance before or we haven't for many, many years. It was just phenomenal."
Hearn was speaking after watching Andy Lee's newest fighter make a massive statement at the Louis Armstrong Stadium in Flushing Meadows, Queens on Saturday.
Hamzah Sheeraz knocked out Edgar Berlanga in the fifth round of their super-middleweight main event on the Turki Al-Sheikh-backed Ring Magazine card, having also knocked him down twice in the fourth.
The Saudi promoter suggested after the bout that Sheeraz, having his first fight under Lee, could face Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez next year if the Mexican beats Terence Crawford in September.
"It's just an unbelievable, unforgettable night," a very proud Lee said afterwards. "It's something that will last forever. That's the thing about boxing, when you have a great night like that it lasts forever."
The Limerick man and former WBO world middleweight champion also paid tribute to Taylor following her MSG heroics.
"Her legend grows and grows and grows," Lee added. "She was a legend years ago. You can't say anything but good things about her.
"What a performance. She made it look easy. It was probably her best performance in years. She just breezed it."

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Irish Sun
8 minutes ago
- The Irish Sun
‘Missed opportunity' – Anthony Joshua warned he MUST show up to Usyk vs Dubois if he still wants fight with Tyson Fury
LENNOX LEWIS reckons Anthony Joshua should show up to the battle of Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois and shut up his doubters. The 35-year-old London 2012 legend has been outpointed twice by the 38-year-old Ukraine icon and knocked spark out by the 27-year-old IBF champ. 4 Anthony Joshua has not fought since being beaten by Daniel Dubois Credit: Getty 4 Lennos Lewis has claimed AJ should be at Dubois' clash against Oleksandr Usyk Credit: Getty 4 The two heavyweights will fight at Wembley on Saturday Credit: Reuters The Watford warrior has maintained a dignified silence since that September shellacking, but loudmouth promoter Eddie Hearn has been promising a sensational return. Tonight - under the same Wembley arch beneath which DDD demolished AJ - only the 36-year-old Gypsy King's name is on the VIP ringside guestlist. And, when asked if Finchley's two-time world champ - who has so far failed to fight Fury and 'If he wants to prove he's still got it, then he has to come back and box someone who still has it. READ MORE ON BOXING 'Everyone is looking at the Tyson Fury fight and I think that's a good fight for him. 'We need to see that fight, I think they owe it to the British public. 'I think it's a missed opportunity Joshua not being at ringside, he should show up if he wants to fight and he feels he's still got it.' Most read in Boxing JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS It was she who successfully ordered her boy to retire after the 2003 claret-soaked win over And the British ring legend recognises the unshakable bond Dubois shares with father Stan, who has homeschooled his son and keeps a tight grip on his career. Saudi boxing chief confirms Anthony Joshua vs Jake Paul showdown as fans predict 'biggest fight of our lives' 'You've got to keep your superpowers with you,' the icon said. ' 'And you need all your strength, especially going for this fight. 'It's the biggest fight of his career so he has to sacrifice everything and make sure his team is strong. 4 USYK VS DUBOIS 2: Stream, TV channel and undercard info for blockbuster Wembley fight 'His dad being there, his team is strong.' After a young and inexperienced Dubois took the knee against Joe Joyce and Usyk - without his dad officially in his corner - fellow fighters and armchair trolls piled in. But he's since battered Jarrell Miller, Filip Hrgovic and Joshua with dad an official part of the team. And Lewis - who successfully addressed his own two defeats against Oliver McCall and Hasim Rahman - says the only way to overcome the hurdle is to keep riding the rodeo. 'It's just about getting back on the horse and making sure you're better than before,' he said. 'Dubois was a baby in the sport and now he's a man. 'He's been knocked down, he;'s been hit with a right hand, called all sorts of names but he's come through that and that's growth. 'He's grown mentally, he's grown in strength and he's grown in confidence. 'Those are three key areas you need to grow and it's going to make you a better boxer. 'He's grown as a boxer in front of our eyes. 'It's been a very impressive growth, he believes in himself more and he's working harder. 'He's been focused for a long time; people don't realise how much sacrifice he has done. 'It takes a lot of sacrifice to be great and these two guys have both done it.' Usyk vs Dubois 2 - All the info OLEKSANDR USYK and Daniel Dubois meet again in a blockbuster heavyweight unification fight at Wembley Stadium THIS SATURDAY! Usyk won the first fight in August 2023 via a ninth round KO - but only after Dubois knocked him to the canvas with a body blow that was ruled a low blow. Dubois, 27, has improved massively since that first meeting, reeling off stunning wins over Jarrell Miller, Filip Hrgovic and Anthony Joshua. Here's everything you need to know ahead of the big fight... INFO All the info for Usyk vs Dubois 2 Latest ticket availability and price How much are Usyk and Dubois earning for the rematch? Get £50 in bonuses talkSPORT BET LATEST NEWS, EXCLUSIVES & FEATURES


Irish Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Tom McKibbin 'p***ed off' not to make Portrush cut in The Open
Local favourite Tom McKibbin is likely to miss out on the weekend in Portrush by just one shot. Not surprisingly, the 22-year-old is unhappy not to make the cut for the first time in a major championship, although this was just his third one. McKibbin, who hails from Newtownabbey, had high hopes coming into the championship with the backing of the home support and with a lucrative start to his LIV career already banked. Getting his second round underway on 1-over par, McKibbin birdied the first to get off to a great start but a double bogey on 9 derailed him and dropped shots followed on 11 and 14. He did battle back with a birdie on 15, but he couldn't find another over his closing holes and a 73 is now expected to leave him just on the wrong side of the cut mark. "Not great," he remarked afterwards. "A little bit annoyed. Yeah, a little bit p***ed off. I think that's what's probably most annoying (to lose out by one shot). "This is probably the best I've played out of them all, just so many like stupid errors, just pins at the back of the green, hitting over the green. It's just where there's nothing really wrong with the shot. So I think that's what's a little bit frustrating. "The crowd supporting me the whole way round was amazing. The whole week was good, sort of positive. I thought I played all right, just a few sort of stupid mistakes that looking back, I wouldn't really hit different. The shot was fine, just sort of missed in the wrong spot or got the club slightly wrong. "Overall, I actually thought I played quite nicely, just a few silly mistakes. It's very hard obviously when you don't really play much links golf, and then you start playing it two days or three days before a tournament. Besides that, all good. I felt like I've been playing nicely." If he takes anything from the two rounds it is hitting those tee shots on the first. He was with Padraig Harrington in the first group out on Thursday. Along with Darren Clarke, McKibbin and Harrington will put the feet up to watch the weekend action. "I've hit two decent ones down there that I think now going forward," said McKibbin. "I don't think there will be many harder tee shots going forward from that. After that, nothing really too much." He only has three tournaments left on the LIV tour this season. "I'll give those all I have," he said, having already earned over €4m in prize money having decided to join the Saudi-backed tour rather than the PGA Tour. "I'll play a little bit of DP as well coming towards the end of the year as well. Gearing up for them." Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email alerts.


Irish Daily Mirror
5 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Katie Taylor offered proposal that could lead to dream fight
Mikaela Mayer has put her name forward to fight Katie Taylor - and offered the Irish great the opportunity to become a three-weight world champion. Taylor is currently considering her future plans after producing one of the best performances of her career to beat Amanda Serrano for a third time last week. The undisputed super-lightweight world champion won via majority decision at Madison Square Garden and, having turned 39 earlier this month, is considering whether she will fight on or hang up her gloves. "I'm willing to come down to 140 for Katie Taylor or she can take her shot at another division and fight me for my 147lb title," wrote Mayer on X. "Either way, I always hoped we would cross paths and this may be our last chance if Katie is looking to retire soon. Still think she's got a lot left tho!" Mayer, who was in attendance for Taylor's most recent win over Serrano, currently holds the WBO welterweight world title, with Wales' Lauren Price holding the WBA, WBC, IBF and Ring Magazine belts at 147lbs. The highest Taylor has weighed in at was 139½ lbs for her two fights with Chantelle Cameron in 2023, as well as her 2019 bout against Christina Linardatou. Mikaela Mayer (Image:) Her last two bouts against Serrano were fought at catchweights of 138 and 136lbs, while their first fight in 2022 took place at lightweight. The Bray Bomber suggested after last week's victory that a Croke Park bout would definitely be enough to keep her in training, but she has previously made no secret of her desire to fight in Las Vegas, where Mayer (21-2) is based and where six of her last 13 bouts have taken place. Taylor was in Sin City for Mayer's last fight against Sandy Ryan, a sparring partner of the 2012 Olympic champion, in March of this year. The Sphere in Vegas was considered as a venue for her trilogy bout with Serrano, before organisers decided on MSG in New York. And while Croke Park remains top of Taylor's wish list to fight in, Vegas might just be enough to tempt her to get back in the ring. "To headline a huge show in Vegas would be absolutely special. Vegas is nearly like the Mecca of boxing," Taylor said last year. "This is where all the big fights happen. I have done Madison Square Garden. I've headlined the two shows back in Ireland but to headline somewhere here in Vegas would be very, very special as well."