Following last night's Dublin riots, tomorrow's rematch between Katie Taylor and Chantelle Cameron, at the 3Arena, will be fought under a cloud of unrest and uncertainty. Conor McGregor, who is effectively one of the fight's main sponsors, has played a role in stoking that uncertainty.
Conor McGregor has sponsored and promoted the bout via his Forged Stout alcohol and did the same the last time the two fighters met at the 3Arena - in May - where he was ringside and prominent in photos and highlights.
Eddie Hearn Quizzed Over Conor McGregor role at Katie Taylor Bout
He has rightfully, given his influence, been roundly criticised for incendiary tweets last night that added to the rhetoric that fuelled last night's scenes. As such, there have been serious concerns over his involvement in Taylor's fight.
Katie Taylor's promoter, Eddie Hearn, was interviewed on Virgin Media's Ireland AM this morning, and was asked about McGregor's involvement on Saturday.
Hearn says he doesn't think Conor McGregor will be at the fight.
I don't believe he's attending the event. I mean I don't speak on his behalf, he's obviously someone that has his own views as everybody does.
But for us we just focus on the event. Obviously we come to Dublin with the aim to grow the sport in this country, and to continue the great work that Katie Taylor has done.
READ HERE: Cameron Tears Into "Piss Take" Katie Taylor Ringwalk In Dublin
READ HERE: All The Details You Need To Watch Katie Taylor v Chantelle Cameron II
"I don't believe he's attending the event."
Eddie Hearn on Conor McGregor's involvement in Chantelle Cameron vs. Katie Taylor's rematch tomorrow following his social media activity this week.#TaylorCameron2 | @IrelandAMVMTV pic.twitter.com/uJntldcahk
— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) November 24, 2023
"And it is a celebration of Irish sport", Hearn continued.
"You've got a number of Irish fighters on the card who are all living their dream, and fighting in front of a sold-out arena.
"You've got young Gary Cully who got beat on the same card last time in the fight of his career.
"And by the way, the atmosphere the last time was the best atmosphere I've witnessed at a fight in probably being in boxing for nearly 40 years. And we expect a better atmosphere tomorrow.
"So moving forward with positivity, and hope, and I know that all of Ireland's fingers will be crossed for Katie Taylor tomorrow night."
McGregor's beer brand have played a big role in the promotion of the fight. Forged Stout helped erect a statue to Katie Taylor near Bray Head. It will host a 'Dublin City Takeover' event tonight in Temple Car to promote the fight. McGregor and Hearn were both involved in a prefight event at Crumlin Boxing Club during the week.
Given McGregor's prominence at the first fight, it was presumed he would be front and centre on Saturday night.
TD Aodhán Ó Ríordán alluded to McGregor's tweets on Today with Claire Byrne and offered a thinly-veiled criticism of the UFC star when he said 'extremely well known people in the sports field who are chipping in'.
SEE ALSO: Katie Taylor Says She Is In A 'Better' Place Ahead Of Chantelle Cameron Rematch
