Wicklow Sinn Féin TD John Brady has stated that the government cannot be allowed to throw in the towel in and dash the hopes of the tens of thousands of boxing fans across the country who have been waiting for years to watch Wicklow sporting icon, legend, and undisputed lightweight champion of the World Katie Taylor fulfil her dream of stepping into the ring in Croke Park in front of 80,000 screaming Irish fans.
Currently the cost of renting Croke Park, which is reported as being three times the cost of renting Wembley Stadium is prohibiting the holding of a return bout between Katie and Amanda Serrano later this year on May 20. The government has previously intervened to ensure that major women’s sporting events could take place, including the Women’s Irish Open at Dromoland Castle.
Brady said:
“Former Olympic champion Katie Taylor is an Irish sporting legend. She has inspired a generation of young Irish boxers. She has heralded in a golden age of women’s boxing. With Ireland now having gold medal ambitions at all of the major tournaments.
The image of an Irish sporting legend stepping out on the hallowed ground of the home of Gaelic games, but on a global stage, in front of 80,000 screaming fans would represent a very special moment in Irish sporting history.
The government has is in the past funded sporting events, such as the Women’s Irish Open at Dromoland Castle, to boost Women’s sport here in Ireland.
If the government fail to intervene, Katie’s fight will have to be moved to the 3Arena, which has a capacity of approx. 9,000. Which is 10,000 less than the sell-out fight with Serrano in the Madison Square Gardens, in New York.
This will push ticket prices through the roof, turning what should be a national sporting celebration of a great Irish sporting figure, into an exclusive event.
The government needs to step up here. Minister Thomas Byrne needs to give a commitment to ensure that this fight goes ahead in Croke Park.
Katie Taylor is a sporting legend, who has given the nation some of its greatest sporting moments of recent times. She is also an exemplary model for young people to emulate. She has been an ambassador for Irish sport, and the country as a whole.
The government must not throw in the towel. Every effort must be done to get the fight to take place in Croke Park, it is what the Irish people want, and it is the minimum they deserve.”
