KATIE TAYLOR IS set to fight on the undercard of Gennady Golovkin’s world title defence at New York’s Madison Square Garden on St Patrick’s weekend in 2017.

Speaking at a press conference ahead of Taylor’s professional debut this weekend, promoter Eddie Hearn revealed the five-time world champion is in line to fight at the iconic sporting venue.

“It looks like we’re set for 18 March at Madison Square Gardens after discussions with Tom Loeffler over the weekend. It’s a huge opportunity for Katie Taylor,” he said at Dublin’s City Hall.

It promises to be a huge weekend for Irish boxing with Michael Conlan and Paddy Barnes already confirmed to fight at Madison Square Garden on St Patrick’s Day itself.

Taylor is in the final stages of preparation for her bout with Polish boxer Karina Kopinska at London’s Wembley Arena on Saturday night, a fight both she and Hearn hope will be the start of a historic journey.

The 30-year-old will fight on the undercard of Anthony Joshua’s world title defence in Manchester on 10 December and then again in early 2017 before heading to New York.

“This is a new step for Matchroom Boxing and Sky Sports,” Hearn continued.

There was a large media presence at City Hall this morning. Source: Donall Farmer/INPHO

“Some of you spoke to me after Katie’s gold medal in London about the possibility of her turning pro. There didn’t seem to be the same kind of appetite from broadcasters than there is now.

“Women’s sport is really flourishing across networks and channels and after her performances, and of course the recent Olympics, I received a text from Katie asking would I be interested in promoting her.

“After she came over to the office with Brian Peters and her mum Bridget, I was just fascinated about Katie Taylor.

“She reminded me about everything that was important about top-level sport and in boxing every day we’re battling with egos and politics and here was someone who showed me the purity of the sport.

“The fact that it was just about winning and Katie Taylor is obsessed about winning. That is the reality.

.@KatieTaylor: This is going to be an exciting journey and I believe I will break all those barriers for women's boxing. — Matchroom: Fight Camp Tonight! (@MatchroomBoxing) November 22, 2016 Source: Matchroom Boxing /Twitter

“I believe it’s not about women’s boxing breaking through, it’s about the product breaking through. What that means is if you’re entertaining, you’re entertaining. Doesn’t matter if you’re a man or a woman, it’s irrelevant.

“She’s going to break down all the barriers.”

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