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‘You transformed it’: Eddie Hearn’s emotional reply to Katie Taylor On October 4, 2016, Katie Taylor sat down and sent Eddie Hearn a direct message on Twitter. The message landed just six weeks after Taylor lost her Olympic crown. Mira Potkonen dethroned Taylor – the reigning Olympic lightweight queen – in Rio. The message to Hearn was Taylor at her respectful, yet confident best. “Hi Eddie, I hope you’re well. I hope you don’t mind me reaching out like this out of the blue. I’ve been seriously considering turning pro over the last few months. “I think I can do for women’s pro boxing what I did for the amateur game: Bring it into focus and generate serious interest. I already have a global profile and a great fan base. “Of course, the pro game is impossible without a great promoter, so I’m wondering if you’d be interested in talking more about this. Much appreciated. Katie.” Less than two months later, Taylor made her pro debut, stopping Karina Szmalenberg at the Wembley Arena in the third round. Around the same time, Taylor messaged Ross Enamit, a US-based trainer. She spent a few days with Enamit in Connecticut before messaging Hearn. Hearn wasn’t initially convinced, but agreed to meet Taylor. After 10 minutes in her company, Hearn had Taylor signed up with Matchroom. It might seem remarkable now, but Taylor was paid a paltry £6,000 for that first fight against Szmalenberg. Hearn sat down in recent days and re-read Taylor’s text. The Matchroom chief delivered an emotional response in which he said: “One sentence stopped me in my tracks all over again: ‘I think I could do for women’s pro boxing what I did for the amateur sport’. “You did that and so much more. You didn’t just bring it into focus, you transformed it. You inspired a generation of young girls. You changed perceptions. You headlined, made history and did the unthinkable bye time after time again.” Hearn, as he has said several times this week, outlined to Taylor that this is the biggest night of his own career. He wrote: “When you sent me that first message, you were asking for an opportunity. The truth is I was the one who was fortunate enough to get the opportunity to work alongside someone who became not only one of the greatest fighters of all time, but one of the most important figures the sport has ever seen.” Hearn signed off\: “Let’s go and get this win. One last time. With love, respect and endless admiration. Eddie.”