Bernard Dunne believes the "logical" next step for Katie Taylor is to turn professional, but believes here biggest decision will surround her choice of coach.
Promoter Eddie Hearn said the 2012 Olympic champion is in negotiations to turn professional with the Matchroom team and Irish boxing's interim head coach Zaur Antia has confirmed that the Wicklow woman not be travelling to Bulgaria for the European Women's Championships in November
It is expected that an announcement will be made in the coming weeks.
Since making her major championship debut in 2005, Taylor has won an Olympic gold, five world titles and six European crowns, but struggled at the Rio Games on the back of a number of surprise defeats in the build-up.
Unbeaten since 2005, Taylor’s form slumped since losing her father Pete as her coach, losing three times in 2016 and former world champion Bernard Dunne says that turning professional was the most likely option once she decided not to hang up her gloves.
“If she was going to continue boxing, I think logic tells you that the next step would have been into the professional ranks,” he told 2fm’s Game On programme.
“I think Tokyo 2020, and getting ready for that, would be a bit more of a challenge.Plus the fact that when you look over Katie’s career she has got European, World and Olympic medals.
“Maybe it’s time for a fresh start and a fresh challenge."
Former European bronze medallist and RTÉ boxing analyst Eric Donovan agreed that a new challenge is essential after a year that went “from bad to worse”.
“Four years is probably too much of a wait for her to try and win a second Olympic medal,” he said.
"I think she could be world champion within two or three years"
“She is looking for a new challenge and it happens to us in all walks of life. People get stagnant in their careers and want a change.
“They want something new that gives them the motivation to get up and go training again in the morning.
Donovan is backing Taylor to make her mark if as expected she joins the professional ranks.
“I think she could be world champion within two or three years. She is 30 years of age now, she probably has a good three years left.
“I think a different aspect is in the professional game she is focusing on one opponent and she can train for one opponent, whereas in the amateur game she is training for a championship where she is going to have four or five fights in a matter of 10 days.
“I think that can be a benefit to her as well.”
Dunne, the former WBA, and European Super Bantamweight champion, believes Taylor is still fresh enough to make a serious impact in the pro division as the last 12 months have been more mentally, rather than physically taxing.
His main concern is to who will be in her corner to succeed Taylor’s father Pete and says the options in Ireland are limited.
“The big thing for me is who Katie chooses as her coach. They are very important decisions going into professional boxing.”
“I don’t see anybody in this country who jumps out at me who could fill the role.”
