Katie Taylor is preparing for a stern test from Flora Pili rather than a Croke Park testimonial on Saturday night as she seeks to sign off on her career in style.
Over 54 years will have passed since Muhammad Ali headlined the last boxing event at the home of the Gaelic Athletic Association.
Just as ‘The Greatest’ blazed a trail in a career that transcended sport, Taylor has done likewise.
Elevating women’s boxing to heights never experienced or perhaps expected, the 40-year-old will make her final walk in front of 80,000 fans with the opportunity to become undisputed champion at light-welterweight once again.
It is all set up for the glorious farewell, and while talk about ring-walks and musical entertainment is a feature of fight week in Dublin, Taylor is looking no further than her 29-year-old French opponent, who is perfect through 12 fights and holds the European and IBO belt.
“I’m trying not to think about it as I have a job to do,” Taylor, whose record stands at 25-1, said at Tuesday’s news conference when the subject of the overall event was raised.
“It’s too dangerous a sport to have your body in the ring and your heart out of it, thinking of retirement.
“I have a job to do, and I’m very much focused on that job. The most important part of Saturday night is I get my hand raised, so it’s business as usual for me.
“I’ve a live opponent in front of me, so it won’t be a walk in the park. She is here to win … a young, undefeated fighter. It will be a tough fight, but that’s when I’m at my best.”
