Katie Taylor and Chantelle Cameron are one apiece after back-to-back fights last year in Dublin.
Cameron handed the Irish superstar her first career defeat with a majority-decision win last May. Taylor returned the favour last November, Cameron picking up her first loss while losing the undisputed super lightweight championship.
A trilogy was called for by Taylor and promoter Eddie Hearn immediately after the cards were announced at the 3Arena following the rematch in the Irish capital.
“I met with both the teams last night and today,” Frank Smith said to ProBox TV over the weekend. “We’ve got continued discussions with Katie Taylor’s team in Las Vegas next week, they are coming there. You know, it is a fight we would like to make and we are working through that detail now. Hopefully as soon as there is news we will get it out there. Croke Park is very much the focus for us.”
The ambition has always been for Matchroom to host the Irish heroin at Dublin’s 82,300 capacity Croke Park. The British promoters worked alongside MMA figurehead Conor McGregor last Summer to work on raising the funds. Matchroom stated in the post-fight press conference for Taylor’s redemption that the City’s stadium would cost double of one in the UK, making a trilogy fight either unlikely or too expensive.
“My job is to come up with solutions and plans and not be sitting here thinking, we can’t do this and we can’t do that,” the Matchroom CEO continued. “We have to be ready to make sure the fighters are active. The price point [of Croke Park] is the price point. We are in discussions with the [Irish] government about support. Although all those conversations take time, any government in the world, it is a procedure you have to go through. It is not an overnight thing.
“Look, Katie Taylor and Chantelle Cameron gave us two of the best nights we have ever seen. Two great nights for the sport, and the kind of nights we need to create to bring boxing fans in. I’ve traveled all around the world, although I’m young, I have done a lot of shows. They are two of the best nights I have been at. You have to commend both those fighters because the atmosphere is great, but they [also] gave us two fights that we will never forget.”
Cameron was unlucky to not score a knockdown in the rematch’s opening round, the referee let off Taylor and called a slip instead. Cameron and her team made clear their frustrations, but a trilogy to determine a clear winner is the only resolution.
“We represent both fighters, we have to do what is right for both fighters,” Smith added. “I would love to make that fight for both of them, I think it is a great fight. I met with her [Cameron’s] management team earlier today.
“Emotions are always high, especially on nights like that. But, it is about creating the best possible nights and the best business for both fighters, and that is what we are focused on.”
