Katie Taylor has already made it clear that 2026 is likely to provide her boxing curtain call.
The Irish sensation has established herself as one of the biggest names in world boxing since turning professional with Matchroom back in 2016, going on to capture undisputed world championship glory at both lightweight and super-lightweight.
With the Bray fighter still pondering her next move after beating Amanda Serrano for a third time in July, it's come to light that an affair with a UFC giant could be on the horizon.
BoxingScene have reported that Taylor's promoter Eddie Hearn has undertaken talks with MMA star, and former bantamweight world title-holder, Ronda Rousey next year.
It's understood that talks remain at an early stage with Netflix, who pulled in six million live streams for Taylor-Serrano 3, showing a significant interest in broadcasting the crossover bout.
Taylor, who turns 40 next year, has been linked with numerous names over the past few weeks, including a potential trilogy clash with domestic foe Chantelle Cameron, although it appears that it's Rousey whose name has pricked her ears the most.
"Rousey’s an iconic figure herself in female sport, he has an amazing mentality," she told BoxingScene.
You don’t get to the position she’s in without a fantastic mind, without a fantastic mentality - I'm very, very open to fighting her, for sure!
- Katie Taylor (BoxingScene)
"It’s just a very interesting fight. Seeing all the headlines this morning, I was thinking, ‘OK, I’m up and ready for this fight.’"
Whilst skeptics will point to the fact that Rousey possesses no previous boxing background, Taylor holds full belief that the former MMA and WWE star possesses the skillset and mentality to make a switch, if only for one night, to the sweet science.
"It’s a fight that will interest and capture the imagination of the fans and that’s what boxing needs," the London 2012 Olympic gold medalist added.
"I’d be very, very happy to fight Ronda. I’m very open to these kinds of fights (crossover) where all generations can sit down and watch boxing.
"She's a world champion, she knows what it takes to get to the top and I believe she is capable of transferring all of her skills over to boxing."
Of course, the potential fight would also land both Taylor and Serrano lucrative paydays, something which, at her age, she has to take into consideration.
"This is a very, very short career and we all want to make as much money as we can, build our legacy and be involved in these big fights.
"Yes, we all want the integrity of the sport to be there, as well - of course we do, but at the end of the day, I have to do what’s right for me and my family."
