KATIE Taylor celebrated with pop superstar Ed Sheeran after her epic triumph over Chantelle Cameron – as the Bray boxer’s dad Pete last night joined calls for a Croke Park trilogy.
The Irish legend landed two-weight undisputed glory over the weekend with a gutsy revenge mission over British brawler Cameron.
Katie Taylor landed two-weight undisputed glory over the weekendGetty Images – Getty
Katie celebrated with Ed Sheeran after her win
Katie’s father and former coach Pete urged promoters, the GAA and the Government to deliver her Croker dream© 2023 PA Media, All Rights Reserved
Six months ago Cameron left Taylor reeling by inflicting her only professional loss.
But our ring queen bounced back by winning their thrilling rematch at Dublin’s 3Arena by majority decision on Saturday to avenge May’s defeat at the same venue.
Ecstatic Katie, who went into the rematch as underdog for the first time in her career, celebrated afterwards with Grammy-winning musician Ed.
The defiant grappler proudly showed off the WBC, WBO, WBA and IBF belts at both 135lb and 140lb as she now eyes a trilogy at Croke Park.
And speaking to the Irish Sun last night, Katie’s father and former coach Pete urged promoters, the GAA and the Government to deliver her Croker dream.
Pete, Katie’s coach when she won gold at the London 2012 Olympics, declared: “She deserves it (Croke Park).
“The performance spoke for itself.”
Katie has been desperate to headline a historic showdown at GAA HQ but previous attempts have been KO’d by a costs wrangle.
Talks broke down largely stemming from issues relating to security costs, which the GAA believe promoters Matchroom should cover.
But with Taylor and Cameron locked at 1-1, Katie roared: “Let’s get the trilogy at Croke Park!”
Promoter Eddie Hearn has issued a plea to GAA bosses and the Irish Government to help get Croker on for an Irish icon.
Hearn has previously tried to stage a fight between Amanda Serrano and Taylor at Croke Park.
But the Matchroom supremo insists his fighter must fight in front of 80,000 fans at GAA HQ before she hangs up her gloves.
‘SHE DESERVES IT’
Hearn said: “She deserves everything, she’s made you so proud. A two-division undisputed world champion, the greatest night in her career.
“Croke Park has to happen, she’s done everything for the sport, she deserves it, next Spring and Summer, we’ll create an event.”
Hearn says that either Cameron or Amanda Serrano will be the likely opponent for Taylor in 2024.
And he pleaded with GAA bosses and Government to help allow Ireland’s “greatest ever athlete” to fight at Croker.
Hearn said: “We could make a financial case on tourism and why an event like this would be a huge success for this country. But if they can’t understand the compassionate side of giving this event and night to their greatest ever athlete then I really don’t know what we are doing.
“We are not even asking for favours. All we are asking for is for the cost to be in line with the biggest stadia in the world where we hold boxing. We don’t want a free stadium. If they want to give us one that would be marvellous. All we are saying is just make it there or thereabouts at Wembley, or Millennium Stadium or Dallas Cowboys.
“Should we just all try and work together -what a moment that would be.”