Almost 10 years ago, Katie Taylor walked into Matchroom HQ and convinced Eddie Hearn to take a chance on her, insisting she was the one to bring women’s professional boxing to the fore.
A decade later, the Bray native is days away from headlining a sold-out Croke Park, as she faces Flora Pili, Pilli looking to become a three-time undisputed champion.
Speaking to the media on Tuesday, Hearn was full of emotion, calling it “the biggest night” he’s been part of.
“I’ve never been so excited. This will be the biggest night I’ve ever been involved with. I’ve got my daughter with me, and we came through the airport, and every other person knows about Saturday. I just can’t wait to feel it, and I know it will be unbelievably emotional,” he said.
“That promo video with Barry Keoghan, I’m not afraid to say that I cried floods of tears. I truly believe it will be one of the greatest moments that sport has ever seen. It’s one of the biggest events Irish sport has ever seen, and I can’t believe it’s happening.”
Reflecting on that first meeting with Taylor, he recalled how the Olympic champion convinced him to take a chance that would end up paying off tenfold.
“Coming off the back of the London 2012 Games, I think there was a little bit more opportunity to do something with Katie, but there wasn’t really the interest in women’s sport that there is now, and then Rio 2016 didn’t go her way. I was a big admirer of her from the Olympics in 2012.
“Then she teamed up with Brian [Peters], who I know very well, and she said that she’d like to have a chat. I went into that meeting 90pc in my mind I wasn’t going to do anything, but she’s so fierce. She was sitting there, and the way she was talking, the passion and determination, telling me the story about the Olympics, and after that I couldn’t say no.
“We decided to headline her in November. I think we paid her £6,000 for a four-rounder, which was a lot of money at the time in women’s boxing. I told my dad that we were putting Katie Taylor on last, and he questioned that a female fighter could headline. I was like, ‘Yeah, dad, like she’s unbelievable, you’ve got to watch her’.
“He watched her debut, and he was amazed. From there, the story’s been unbelievable, and what she’s done when we look back is a testament to her perseverance and heart.”
Speaking about the experience fans will have on the night, Hearn said there will be some big music names in addition to a brilliant night of fights.
“There will be major music acts. I want to let you all see it unfold on the night, but there’s definitely people everybody’s heard of in this country performing on Saturday night.
“The card is great as well, and it means so much to people. Taylor Bevan against Emmet Brennan. Brennan is literally ready to explode, he lives a couple hundred yards from Croke Park. He’s going to fight like his life depends on it. Taylor Bevan is one of our top young prospects, it is going to be an absolute bloodbath.
“Dave Allen against [Thomas] Carty, Borland against McGrail, so many good fights, the night’s going to be really special. Peter Aiken’s been a great addition, and Brian [Peters] has planned it like it’s his own wedding. It’s going to be a historic night.”