Is the golden era of Irish amateur boxing finally coming to an end?
Olympic medallists Michael Conlan and Paddy Barnes both turned professional after disappointing Olympic Games earlier this summer. It looks like London 2012 champion Katie Taylor is preparing to follow suit.
The Bray fighter has won all there is to win in the amateur game, and after her shock loss to Finland's Mira Potkonen in Rio, it looks like the five-time World Champion is ready to enter the professional ranks.
Although not announced officially from Taylor's camp, The Sun claim that the 30-year-old could make her professional debut as early as next month.
2016 has been a disappointing year for Taylor. She began the year as World and Olympic champion. She lost in the World semi-finals in May, before failing to medal in Rio three months later.
The potential November 26th debut will be promoted by Matchroom Sport's Eddie Hearn, and will take place in Wembley Arena. If Taylor fights on the undercard, it will mark a rollercoaster four-and-a-half years from when she won Olympic gold in the same city.
While the timing of the news is a surprise, Taylor has previously spoken at her wish to enter the professional game before she retires.
Hearn promotes the likes of Heavyweight World Champion Anthony Joshua and Kell Brook. He currently does not have any female boxers in his roster. With the exception of two-time Olympic champion Nicola Adams, Hearn could not hope for a bigger draw in Britain and Ireland than Taylor.
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