Katie Taylor in talks to fight on undercard for Andy Lee’s 'one-off special fight' at Thomond Park

Katie Taylor could appear on the undercard of The Showdown between Andy Lee and Billy Joe Saunders at Thomond Park with discussions about her involvement still ongoing.

Taylor, the global icon of women’s boxing, has won five straight world amateur titles and also struck gold at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

And Lee, who headlines the card, is desperate to ensure the Bray boxer can showcase her talents as part of the show in Limerick on September 19.

The WBO middleweight champion said: “I’d like to have Katie Taylor there. I’m very proud of what she’s done and the whole country is too.

“This is a one-off special fight and it’s in Thomond Park. It’s a one-off event and it would be nice to have Katie as part of it to celebrate her in Ireland.

“She’s always fighting abroad and never really seen at home.” However, as an amateur, it is unclear whether Taylor will be allowed to be involved in a professional showpiece.

But Adam Booth, Lee’s trainer and co-promoter of the event, said: “I’ve had communication with her dad, with the IABA — the Irish Amateur Boxing Association, and I’ve communication with AIBA — the Amateur International Boxing Association. I’ve had good conversations with them but there are still a few hurdles to cross.

“It’s about the amateur and pro thing. We know all the problems that need to be resolved and we’ll see if we can. The talks are not yet positive or negative, we’re just fact-finding at the moment and talks continue.”

Meanwhile, Saunders admits he looked up to Lee as he followed in the Irishman’s footsteps of representing his country at the Olympics and knows there is not much to chose between the two men as they prepare for their ground-breaking fight.

“I remember Andy in the 2004 Olympics, I was 14 and everyone in the travelling community was talking about it, and four years later I was there,” he said.

“I watched him from the amateurs into the pros, they say destiny and I think this fight was meant to happen.

“Me and Andy, we are both proud men, I could sit here and say I’m going to smash him and knock him out but I know this is going to be a genuine 50/50 fight.

“It doesn’t need talking up, it is a history fight and I know it will catch fire. Our hearts will take over us and we will go hammer and tongs sometimes, it will be a good fight.”