Eddie Hearn admits need to consider potential impact of Conor McGregor being involved in Katie Taylor's Croke Park fight

Eddie Hearn has admitted that he will need to evaluate any potential negative impact of Conor McGregor being involved in a Katie Taylor fight at Croke Park.

But Taylor’s boxing promoter has also stressed that the UFC star has always been supportive of the Bray woman and Irish boxing in general.

Following Taylor’s victory over Chantelle Cameron in Dublin on Saturday night, there has been renewed hope of the world champion fighting at Croke Park.

But Hearn was asked on Monday morning if such a massive event would be tainted if McGregor was involved in its promotion.

The promoter told Off the Ball: “I understand and I also understand and respect the opinions of you guys, the media, the country.

“It’s something as a business we will always have to consider and Katie would as well.

“But I do want to make it clear . . . the support that he has given Katie and Irish boxing and fighters . . . you may not see that side.

“I’m talking from that side. I know the other side always has to be considered for us as a business and Katie as an individual, but I do want to get that point across because for us it has been important.

McGregor came under scrutiny last week for online comments he made after five people were injured during a stabbing in Parnell Square, Dublin.

The mixed material arts fighter suggested via social media that “Ireland is at war” and that “you reap what you sow”.

Following the stabbing incident, protestors gathered at the scene before making their way to the O’Connell Street area, where buses, trams and Garda cars were set on fire, and a number of shops were looted.

When asked by the Irish Mirror about the online comments of McGregor, Tánaiste Micheál Martin did not reference McGregor by name but said that many of the comments made by some people online have been “disgraceful”.

Martin said: “There have been many comments I’ve watched online of that type which are absolutely disgraceful.

“We have a parliamentary democracy, we value that, Irish people do as well. Isolated voices like that and voices that essentially are inciting hate and to some degree incitement is unacceptable.”

McGregor’s company Forged Irish Stout was a major sponsor of Taylor’s rematch with Cameron at the 3 Arena on Saturday, with the alcohol company’s logo plastered on the canvas and around the arena.

Following Taylor’s victory over Cameron, Hearn was irritated when asked by a reporter about McGregor’s involvement in the fight promotion.

Hearn, the chairman of Matchroom Sport, said: “You had to do it, didn’t you? I have to tell you this: I’m so bored of talking about it. All you ever do is look for a negative.

“Conor McGregor is Conor McGregor. I don’t represent him, I don’t talk about his comments. He has a brand that has backed the sport of boxing.

“It has nothing to do with Katie Taylor, the show, the company. His opinions are his opinions. Tonight, we celebrate one of your greatest-ever athletes. No more questions about Conor McGregor.”

Eddie Hearn with Katie Taylor

When it was put to Hearn that the question had to be asked, he hit back by saying: “Then you can ask me away from the press conference. You can ask me afterwards. I’ll answer it. Not in front of Katie Taylor.

“This is her night and congratulations to one of the greatest athletes I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with.”

Whether McGregor is involved in some capacity or not, it is clear that Hearn is determined for Taylor to fight at the home of the GAA.

He said: “When we started there were a few things that she [Taylor] said she wanted to do: headlining Ireland, we talked about headlining Madison Square Garden, but she always said to me, ‘I believe I can sell out Croke Park’.

“It’s always been something that has sat in my mind, and it’s always been something she has mentioned when we have talked about a return to Ireland.

“One of the most important things about Croke Park is the accessibility that we can give the Irish public in terms of attending a well-priced iconic event that will go down in the history of the country.

“On Saturday we had 9,000 in the 3 Arena, and it was a sell-out of course. We have to generate a number on the gate to pay these fighters what they deserve.

“Therefore the tickets were very expensive on Saturday night, therefore it restricts the opportunity for young kids and families to attend.

“If you are talking about 60 or 70 thousand, you can open it up to tickets for 30 quid or even cheaper to allow that celebration for the people.

“I think that’s very important for Katie as well, she loves fighting in Ireland, but she would love to fight where everybody can come.”

He added: “It’s really deep in my head now which means I have to make it happen.”

Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email alerts.