'Katie Taylor deserves big payday against Amanda Serrano - I don't care about Mike Tyson v Jake Paul'

Michael Conlan doesn't care what card Katie Taylor fights on. He is just delighted to see his former Olympic teammate getting the big payday that she deserves.

The undisputed super lightweight champion was due to face Amanda Serrano in a re-run of their 2022 Madison Square Garden classic this weekend, but the bout has been pushed back to November following the postponement of Mike Tyson v Jake Paul.

The controversial bout between 58-year-old Tyson and YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul, who is more than 30 years his junior, headlines the event at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on November 15 after being postponed due to a medical issue affecting the former world heavyweight champion.

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Both Paul and Serrano are in action this weekend in Florida as they face Mike Perry and Stevie Morgan respectively, but Taylor has opted against stepping in the ring between now and November.

Some people have questioned the 2012 Olympic champion's decision to fight on the Tyson v Paul card, but Belfast's Conlan is not one of them and he is fully behind his long-time friend's decision.

"I'm delighted for Katie," he told the Irish Mirror. "I don't care what card it is. I actually don't care about the fight (Tyson v Paul), I just care that she is being paid what she is being paid.

"She's getting paid €6million - the highest a woman has ever been paid - and no better woman to be getting paid that than Katie Taylor because she deserves it. She is women's boxing."

Michael Conlan
(Image: Matthew Pover Matchroom Boxing)

He continued: "Nobody was really talking about it until Katie. You can say Claressa Shields too, who played a part in that, but Claressa Shields wouldn't be where she is if it wasn't for Katie Taylor because Katie is the reason women's Olympic boxing was allowed so that's how Claressa got the stardom. She became a two-time Olympic gold medallist.

"It's fantastic. I'm delighted for her. It's a tough fight, Serrano is a tough fight, I think it's tougher than the last one. The fact it's at 140, I favour Katie even more. That's a good advantage for Katie but Serrano is an unbelievable fighter. She can punch very hard, very fit, very tough and also has great speed too so it's a great match up.

"If we have anything like the first one, then we have a potential fight of the year again. I just hope Katie comes out on top."

Meanwhile, Taylor has been installed as the 4/6 favourite with BoyleSports to beat Serrano once again in under four months' time after triumphing via split-decision on that famous night in New York, while Serrano will enter the ring as the 5/4 underdog.

The Bray Bomber is also in the running for the RTÉ Sports Person of the Year at odds of 10/1, a title that she has already landed three times. Some savvy bettors are already hoping that if Taylor justifies favouritism in Texas the month before the RTÉ bash, it will propel her towards a four-timer.

Brian O’Keeffe, spokesperson for BoyleSports, said: “Boxing fans might have been robbed of a summer showdown between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano, but it hasn’t stopped them getting stuck into the betting. The Bray Bomber is edging favouritism but as support continues, she could enter the ring as a red-hot favourite.”

Michael Conlan was speaking at the launch of his new beer - Le Grá. The one-of-a-kind golden brew is infused with real shamrocks for a touch of ancient Irish luck. Le Grá Premium Irish Lager is available across Ireland at retailers, bars, and pubs. For more information visit www.legrabeer.com

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