Eddie Hearn: Conor McGregor ‘gutted’ after Katie Taylor loss in Ireland

Conor McGregor is a passionate man ... and sometimes that passion gets to be a bit much.

He’s jumped into the cage at a Bellator event and accosted a referee (details here). He’s punched up more than his fair share of people at bars (watch it). So, when McGregor and Matchroom Boxing promoter, Eddie Hearn, sat together to watch Katie Taylor vs. Chantelle Cameron at 3Arena this past weekend (Sat., May 20, 2023), Hearn admitted he was a little nervous.

“When Gary Cullly lost, [Conor] got up and he was like, ‘Why did you put him in with him?” Hearn said on the latest episode of The MMA Hour. “I was like, ‘Well, sorry?’ He said, ‘He’s a puncher. It’s his homecoming in Ireland, you should’ve given him a can!’ I was like, ‘That guy’s lost three of his last five. Garry Cully was like 50-to-1 on to win that fight. He traded with his chin in the air.’”

“And I’m thinking, ‘Oh God, please Katie, don’t lose,’” Hearn continued. “He was gutted when Katie lost. All the Irish were, but he was getting up, he was banging the canvas during the fight.”

Taylor dropped a majority decision with 95-95, 96-94 and 96-94 scores (watch highlights here). McGregor stayed calm and — most important — stayed out of the ring (and out of trouble). He sponsored the event via his Proper 12 Whiskey brand and Forged Irish Stout, and Hearn couldn’t be happier on how the partnership played out.

“Listen, he was a real gem to have involved in the promotion,” Hearn said. “Passionate. Obviously from a profile point of view, fantastic, loads of energy. I was saying the other day, probably one of the most recognizable people in the world, love him or hate him.”

Taylor has already opted to activate a rematch clause and fight Cameron again sometime in fall 2023. That was her first professional loss, and many questioned the decision to move up in weight to challenge the undisputed Light Welterweight champion.

But, Hearn said a can opponent would have changed the vibe of the whole event.

“We got an unbelievable fight,” he said. “It wouldn’t have been the same week if it was Taylor 100-1 against someone you’ve never heard of. This is about — and we’re lucky to have people like Katie Taylor — the week was incredible because of the feeling and the welcome from fight fans who are passionate about the sport, who have been starved of boxing there for seven years. And as a promoter, the one thing I want is for people to leave the arena and remember the night forever with a smile on their face.

“Now, I know the disappointment of losing, but I promise you that all those 9,000 that were in that arena will never forget that night,” Hearn concluded. “And you win, you lose, that’s sport.”

For complete ‘Taylor vs. Cameron’ results, coverage and highlights click HERE.