Katie Taylor Gets Dream Croke Park Farewell in Final Career Fight
Katie Taylor has finally been given her dream fight as she is set to bring her decorated career to a close in a farewell fight against Flora Pili in September at Croke Park.
The Irish native will bid to become a three-time undisputed champions of the world against the unbeaten French fighter Pili in what will be the first boxing fight at Croke Park since Muhammad Ali’s win over Al Lewis over five decades ago.
Taylor will defend her WBO, WBA, IBF and Ring Magazine titles and attempt to add the vacant WBC belt against mandatory challenge Pili, who boasts a 12-0 record.
The 39-year-old fighter hasn’t boxed since completing a clean sweep of the trilogy over Amanda Serrano in New York’s iconic Madison Square Garden in July, where she retained her undisputed light-welterweight title.
“This seems like the perfect way to end it (my career) – by becoming undisputed champion again in our national stadium which has such a special place in Irish hearts,” said Taylor.
“I’m so grateful that it’s happening and I can’t thank the people of this country enough for the support I have received over the years.
“People have travelled all around the world to follow my career and I’m hoping I can repay some of that with a big performance on September 5.”
Taylor’s Croke Park dream was first floated following her first victory over Serrano in April 2022.
However, after a win over Karen Carabajal in London, her homecoming would take place at Dublin’s 3 Arena with Croke Park’s stadium chief executive Peter McKenna saying Taylor’s promoter Matchroom would not cover security costs.
Matchroom chairman Eddie Hearn claimed “the cost of hire, the cost of everything involved with the event is three times nearly more than staging it at Wembley Stadium”.
Taylor suffered her sole career loss in 26 fights against Chantelle Cameron in Dublin in May 2023 before avenging the defeat later that year.
“I’m under no illusions that Flora will present a very tough challenge, she’s undefeated as a professional and has a good amateur pedigree so I have the utmost respect for her,” added Taylor.
“I’ve been blessed to achieve more than I could ever have dreamed in this sport but fighting at Croke Park really is the icing on the cake.
“I hope it’s the kind of event that will inspire a whole new generation to take up sport and follow their passions – that for me would be the greatest legacy I could leave.”
