Katie Taylor Set for Final Professional Fight at Dublin’s Croke Park

Irish super-lightweight boxing champion and Olympic gold medallist Katie Taylor will enter the ring for her final professional bout on Saturday night, facing unbeaten French challenger Flora Pili at Dublin’s Croke Park. The event marks the conclusion of a career that proved instrumental in bringing women’s boxing into mainstream international sport.

Taylor, 40, will defend her world titles in front of 80,000 spectators at Ireland’s national stadium. The event will be broadcast free-to-air across Ireland by national broadcaster RTÉ, with entertainment provided by musical acts including Irish pop group Westlife.

A Sold-Out Farewell in Dublin

The bout represents Croke Park’s first boxing event since 1972, when heavyweight Muhammad Ali fought Alvin Lewis. Tickets for Taylor’s final appearance sold out in 17 minutes after going on sale in June.

Her opponent, 29-year-old Flora Pili, holds the IBO world super-lightweight title and enters the bout with an undefeated record of 12 wins from 12 professional fights. Taylor is aiming to add another world title belt to her collection before retiring.

Trevor McMahon, Taylor’s brother-in-law and founder of the Liberty Boxing Gym in her home town of Bray, described the atmosphere surrounding her final appearance: The end of an era, isn’t it? McMahon noted that during tough bouts, Katie always seems to rise to the occasion.

Pioneering Women’s Boxing

Taylor began training as a young child under her father, Pete, at a gym in Bray, County Wicklow, known locally as the Tin Can. Because women and girls were banned from boxing in Ireland and the United Kingdom at the time, Taylor disguised herself as a boy under the name “K Taylor” to enter competitions.

Working with her father, Taylor advocated for Irish sports authorities to lift the ban on female boxers, which was officially rescinded in 2001 when she was 15. The pair subsequently campaigned for the inclusion of women’s boxing in the Olympic Games.

Taylor won an Olympic gold medal at the London 2012 Games. Turning professional, she headlined major international events, including bouts at Madison Square Garden in New York and a three-fight series against Amanda Serrano.

Hometown Support and Legacy

In Bray, local businesses and residents displayed flags, murals, and merchandise ahead of the fight. Fans highlighted Taylor’s role in inspiring broader participation among women in sports and praised her continued connection to her local community.

Catherine Hill, a resident attending the match, noted: It’s going to be amazing for Katie, the whole country and all women.

Local resident Anne-Marie McHugh expressed well wishes for Taylor’s retirement, stating, It’s time for her to relax.

Background

Women’s boxing was officially prohibited in Ireland and the UK until 2001. Following national reforms and international lobbying, women’s boxing was introduced to the Olympic Games at London 2012, where Katie Taylor won gold in the lightweight division. She subsequently turned professional, achieving undisputed champion status across multiple weight divisions.