A Historic Night in Dublin
Katie Taylor bid an emotional farewell to boxing on Saturday, dominating Flora Pili in the final fight of her storied career at a packed Croke Park. The 40-year-old secured a unanimous decision victory to claim the vacant WBC super-lightweight belt, retiring as a three-time undisputed world champion. The event drew 83,000 fans, marking the first boxing event at Croke Park since Muhammad Ali fought Al "Blue" Lewis in 1972.[S1]
Taylor, an Olympic champion and two-weight undisputed champion, retires with a professional record of 26-1, her only loss coming to Chantelle Cameron in May 2023. She is widely recognized as the greatest female boxer in history and a pioneer for women's sport.[S1]
A Commanding Performance
Taylor delivered a typically commanding display, showcasing blistering hand speed, elite footwork, and ring IQ that proved too much for Pili. She repeatedly unloaded slick combinations, out-working and out-maneuvering her French opponent, who struggled with her counter-shot approach. In the final round, Taylor sought to deliver one last show, filling the dying seconds with relentless attack before embracing Pili at the final bell.[S1]
After the fight, Taylor expressed gratitude to the crowd, saying that every one of them helped her win, from London 2012 through the heartbreak of Rio, to her professional career and this final night. She praised Pili as an awkward but great opponent and thanked her for being part of the epic night.[S1]
A Trailblazing Career
Taylor became Ireland's first female Olympic boxing champion at London 2012, beating Russia's Sofya Ochigava in the lightweight gold medal bout. She turned professional in 2016 after an amateur record of 176-12-1, becoming WBA lightweight champion in just her seventh contest. In June 2019, she became undisputed lightweight champion after defeating Delfine Persoon at Madison Square Garden.[S1]
Taylor made history again at MSG in 2022, headlining the first women's boxing fight at the iconic venue against Amanda Serrano, beginning a trilogy that she won all three times. Her first career defeat came in May 2023 against Cameron, but she avenged it six months later to become a two-weight undisputed champion. In her final moments in the ring, Taylor laid down her gloves and belts, taking a lap of honor as she said goodbye.[S1]
