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."
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Irish Examiner
an hour ago
- Irish Examiner
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The 42
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