Joshua vs Fury at Croke Park Off the Table as Hearn Prioritises Taylor farewell

The prospect of watching Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua finally settle their rivalry inside the confines of Croke Park has officially been shelved. Eddie Hearn, who promotes Joshua and also handles Katie Taylor's career, delivered the definitive word this week, leaving the long-mooted heavyweight showdown without its most romantic venue.

Hearn was in Dublin on Friday for discussions regarding Taylor's future, and he made clear where his priorities lie. "There is nothing else on the agenda apart from Katie Taylor," Hearn said in a video posted on Matchroom Boxing's social media channels. "Anthony Joshua against Tyson Fury, for me, is not going to happen at Croke Park."

Taylor, 39, has made no secret of her desire to fight in Ireland's largest stadium before she retires. The two-weight undisputed champion last boxed in New York last summer, defeating Amanda Serrano in the third instalment of their rivalry at Madison Square Garden. But a final bow in Dublin, at the 82,000-capacity Croke Park, has remained an unfinished piece of business.

Previous attempts to stage Taylor at Croke Park have collapsed, with security costs repeatedly cited as the obstacle. Hearn, however, believes the time is right to try again and says he will leave no stone unturned. "Katie Taylor is not fighting on any undercard," he insisted. "If there is a fight at Croke Park, it should be Katie Taylor and Katie Taylor only. That is the whole story; that is the history, the legacy and nothing short of what she deserves."

Fury returned to the ring last weekend after 15 months of inactivity, defeating Arslanbek Makhmudov on points and immediately calling for a fight with Joshua, who was watching from ringside. Despite the public posturing, no contracts have been signed, and Hearn's stance makes clear that Dublin is not the destination regardless.

The pair could still meet later this year at an alternative venue, but Croke Park is now firmly in Taylor's column. Hearn's message was unambiguous: the Irish sporting public will not be asked to share their greatest boxing stage. When Croke Park finally hosts a fight of this magnitude, it will be Katie Taylor's name topping the bill.

For Fury and Joshua, the path forward remains unclear. For Taylor, the final chapter is being written, and it belongs to Dublin alone.