Priceless fighting champ Katie Taylor could pocket her biggest payday yet in a crossover clash with Brazilian MMA star Cris Cyborg.
The heroic bruiser made more than a million euro for her bout in August in which she destroyed Delfine Persoon.
And on Saturday night, the boxing star from Bray, Co Wicklow, comfortably beat Spaniard Miriam Gutierrez.
Promoter Eddie Hearn and Taylor’s manager Brian Peters are keen to make the fight with Cyborg happen next year.
The 34-year-old told Sky Sports the crossover fight would only take place in the boxing ring.
Taylor said: “She is a name that has been thrown around and I’m very happy to step in the ring with her if she’s open to that.”
Cyborg’s promoter Scott Coker confirmed to Sky he is in talks with Hearn.
He added: “If Eddie Hearn wants to work out who is the top female combat star then maybe he should think about it.” The two codes coming together could be the biggest female fight in history. Olympic gold medallist Taylor is set for a number of huge fights over the next few years.
Hearn said: “There are just so many challenges and the great news is she wouldn’t duck one of them.
“You couldn’t suggest a fight that she would say no to. But she does want to push the boundaries.
“Cyborg is a great fight, we know it’s a crossover fight with MMA, but honestly there are so many different options. The great thing with Katie and with women’s boxing is that no is not really an answer that the champions give.”
English boxers Natasha Jonas and Terri Harper are likely opponents for Taylor going forward.
Jessica McCaskill and Cecilia Braekhus are set to face off in a rematch in early 2021 and the winner could face Taylor later next year.
While nine-time and seven weight world champion Amanda Serrano is another name towards the top of the
list of possible next opponents.
Hearn added: “There isn’t anyone she wouldn’t fight, you can go through them.We’ve tried for the Serrano fight, we love the winner of Braekhus against McCaskill, that’s the undisputed welterweight championship.”
Taylor will return to her training base in Connecticut in the next few days to enjoy her most recent success before coming home to Ireland for Christmas.
Meanwhile, her mother and nephew flew back to Dublin yesterday while the boxer jetted to America with her coach.
Speaking after Saturday’s fight the undisputed lightweight queen said: “There are no shortage of big fights out there.
“It is all about the legacy and making history in this sport and inspiring the next generation but yeah, people still haven’t seen the best of me yet.”
Taylor outclassed Gutierrez over 10 one-sided rounds at Wembley Arena on Saturday night, winning via unanimous decision to extend her professional record to 17-0.
