WBO middleweight champion Andy Lee wants Katie Taylor to fight on the undercard of his title defence against Billy Joe Saunders on September 19.
Lee will be putting his belt on the line in his hometown of Limerick, with Thomond Park the venue, and in Saunders he faces an unbeaten fighter.
The London-born boxer is keen to put on a huge show, with current Irish, European, World and Olympic 60kg champion Taylor in his thoughts.
“We’d like to get a good undercard,” Lee, 31, told a press conference in London on Wednesday.
“For me, I’d like to have Katie Taylor there because I’m very proud of what she’s done; the whole country is proud of what she’s done. She’s one of the leading sports people from Ireland.
“I think it would be a good chance to give something back to the boxing fans and also to her for what she’s done in the Olympics, as well being a world and European champion.
“This is a one-off special fight in Thomond Park, my homecoming as the world champion, and it would be nice to have her as part of it because she’s always fighting abroad too.”
WBO middleweight champion Andy Lee will defend his title on September 19Lee’s trainer Adam Booth, who is co-promoting the fight alongside Frank Warren, admits talks have been held over the possibility of Bray native Taylor taking part. However, nothing is concrete just yet.
He said: “Not only is she an Irish hero, or heroine rather, she’s a champion. But we’re still at the point where it’s neither positive or negative.”
With Taylor being an amateur, the International Boxing Association (AIBA) may stand in the way of her competing at the event.
In addition, The Irish Post understands Warren – owner of the event’s broadcasters BoxNation – is keen to keep the entire card professional, while Booth is eager to grant Lee his wish.
