Is Conor McGregor involved in Katie Taylor's homecoming fight in Dublin? Here's what we know

MMA megastar Conor McGregor and boxing great Katie Taylor are widely heralded among the most well-known fighters from Ireland. Taylor secured a gold medal at lightweight in women's boxing at the 2012 Olympic games.

Additionally, as a professional boxer, Katie Taylor is a two-weight world champion. The 36-year-old previously held the WBO light-welterweight title. She's also the reigning undisputed lightweight champion, holding the WBA, IBF, WBC, WBO, and The Ring magazine lightweight titles.

Taylor was expected to defend her titles against fellow boxing great Amanda Serrano in a rematch of their all-time classic April 2022 fight. Although 'KT' defeated Serrano via split decision, their potential rematch generated significant intrigue, given how thrilling their first clash was.

Over the past few months, the Taylor-Serrano rematch was expected to serve as Katie Taylor's homecoming fight in May 2023, in Ireland -- her first fight as a professional boxer in her native country. Taylor had consistently called for the matchup to be held at Croke Park in Dublin, Ireland, which could host around 82,000 people.

However, Matchroom Boxing's Eddie Hearn, Taylor's promoter, eventually revealed that the cost of organizing the fight at Croke Park was considerably high. Ergo, the Taylor-Serrano rematch was instead being targeted for the 3Arena in Dublin, Ireland, which could host around 13,000 people.

Conor McGregor notably volunteered last month, offering to help Eddie Hearn cover the costs of organizing the Taylor-Serrano rematch at Croke Park. A longtime supporter of Taylor, McGregor tweeted:

"The extra security bill is 500k to have Katie Taylor fight at croke park? I will sponsor the event to see this happen."

Eddie Hearn responded to Conor McGregor's tweet and suggested that they could discuss the possibility of the Irishman helping the Taylor-Serrano matchup transpire at Croke Park. Hearn tweeted:

"Let’s talk"

McGregor and Hearn were seen having a meeting at the Irishman's Dublin pub, Black Forge Inn. The fight eventually fell through.

In a recent appearance on Ariel Helwani's The MMA Hour, McGregor confirmed that he will be sponsoring the event when the rematch takes place:

"I'm going to support the event. I'm going to sponsor the event... I'd love to see Katie do it [fight in Croke Park] and we're pushing for September."

Watch the comments below from the 08:00 mark:

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Katie Taylor's father praises Conor McGregor for trying to make her Croke Park fight a reality

The Katie Taylor-Amanda Serrano rematch fell apart after Serrano suffered a hand injury a few weeks back. It was subsequently revealed that Taylor would move up in weight to face undisputed light-welterweight champion Chantelle Cameron for the latter's WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO, IBO, and The Ring women's light-welterweight titles.

The Taylor-Cameron matchup will transpire on May 20, 2023, at the 3Arena. On that note, before Conor McGregor's much-awaited comeback, Katie Taylor's father Pete Taylor expressed his gratitude towards him for trying to make her Croke Park fight a reality.

Speaking to the Irish Mirror, Pete Taylor explained that the cost of organizing a fight at the UK's iconic Wembley Stadium was €400,000, whereas it'd cost €1.2 million at Croke Park.

Indicating that organizing Taylor's homecoming fight at Croke Park would've been financially challenging, he highlighted that McGregor was still willing to help pay to make Taylor's dream a reality. Thanking 'The Notorious,' Taylor said:

"It’s great for Conor [McGregor] as well. It’s great for everybody. It’s great to see one combat sports person looking after the other. Only positive things can come out of it.”