Croke Park’s chief executive has expressed a desire to bring Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury to Dublin, after rumours circulated that the super-fight could take place in the Irish capital.
Last week, boxing promoter Kalle Sauerland said he’d heard that Joshua vs Fury might take in Dublin this autumn, though one source played down the idea to The Independent.
Now, Croke Park’s Peter McKenna has provided an update on the mooted, all-British fight, which could go ahead if Fury beats Arslanbek Makhmudov this weekend.
“The real hope is that we will get Tyson Fury here later on in the year,” McKenna told the BBC. “That would be such a world-billing event that we would be able to facilitate a Katie Taylor fight here.”
McKenna was referencing Irish boxing icon Taylor, and her hopes of retiring after a fight at Croke Park this year.
“A lot of stars need to align,” McKenna continued. “Katie’s manager needs to agree, Katie’s promoter needs to agree, Tyson Fury’s promoter needs to agree.
“I am very confident that all three are coming to the sense that [Taylor] is one of Ireland’s greatest sporting athletes and it would be such a ‘wow’ to have her here – and for her to finish her career here.”
The Independent has approached a representative of Taylor for comment.
On Saturday, former heavyweight champion Fury will emerge from retirement for the fifth time when he boxes Makhmudov at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The British star, 37, this week reiterated his desire to face Joshua, 36, next.
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Joshua is expected to return to the ring this summer, but likely facing a different foe before a prospective bout with Fury.
“AJ”’s boxing future was initially up in the air after he was involved in a car crash in December, which claimed the lives of two of his teammates. That accident in Nigeria occurred just days after Joshua knocked out influencer-turned-boxer Jake Paul in six rounds in Miami.
In any case, Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn has talked up a summer return for the former heavyweight champion, who was quick to return to the gym after the crash.
