IRISH fans were fuming as Eddie Hearn said ‘we’ll claim’ Katie Taylor after her world title victory tonight.
Taylor scored a unanimous decision victory over Christina Linardatou to win the WBO World Super-lightweight title and be crowned a two weight world champ.
But promoter Heard drew the fury of Irish supporters as he paid tribute to the Bray native.
He said in the ring: “First of all I want to say congratulations to a true icon, Katie Taylor.
“Everyone should be so proud of her. Ireland should be so proud of her but we’ll claim her too.”
Hearn’s comments brought some furious reactions from Irish boxing fans on Twitter.
One user wrote: “Eddie Hearn excuse me, Katie Taylor is Irish, you have no claim on her!”
Another said: “Eddie Hearn, Ireland should be proud of her (obviously we are) and then says WE claim her too?? Well Eddie you can f**k off.”
And one person Tweeted: Here Eddie Hearn, less of that ‘we claim her too’ nonsense about KT. She is ours.”
Hearn went on to hail the Olympic gold medal winner after her commanding performance in Manchester.
He added: “She’s just an absolutely brilliant example of how hard work, drive, determination and a dream can get you to the very, very top.
“She’s an absolute pleasure to deal with, she’s changed the sport on its head.
“Katie Taylor is an absolute legend of the sport of boxing.”
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An emotional Taylor was brought to tears by the supporters in Manchester as they saluted the new two weight world champ.
And the 33-year-old has already set her sights on a rematch with Delfine Persoon, who Katie defeated to become undisputed world lightweight champ back in June.
Her controversial decision victory over the Belgian posed some questions against Taylor which she believes she answered with a commanding win tonight.