Legendary boxer Katie Taylor has said she is “very open” to a crossover bout match against former UFC champion Ronda Rousey, as representatives for both fighters reportedly begin negotiations for a potential bout in Las Vegas next summer.

The Irish undisputed super-lightweight champion has been linked with a crossover bout with Rousey, the former UFC bantamweight title holder and one of the most recognisable figures in women’s combat sports, in what would be a high-profile matchup between Olympic gold medalists from two different combat sports.

“Rousey’s an iconic figure herself in female sport. She has an amazing mentality. You don’t get to the position she’s in without a fantastic mind, without a fantastic mentality,” Taylor said, according to Boxing Scene. “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.’ Absolutely, it’s an interesting fight,” Taylor added. “It’s a fight that will interest and capture the imagination of the fans, and that’s what boxing needs. I’d be very, very happy to fight Ronda. I’m very open to these kinds of fights where all generations can sit down and watch boxing. I’m very, very open to fighting Ronda Rousey. Absolutely open to it, for sure.”

“She has such a huge following. It would be an amazing privilege to step into the ring with such a legend — not just in UFC, but women’s sports as a whole. We’ll see what happens,” she said.

If negotiations progress, the bout is expected to be targeted for Las Vegas next summer, with the crossover nature of the contest projected to attract a significant global audience.

Taylor is currently on a break following her most recent victory over Amanda Serrano, while Rousey retired from mixed martial arts in 2016 after losing her UFC title and subsequently to Amanda Nunes.