DUBLIN, Ireland – Katie Taylor was emotional ahead of her final professional contest that will take place at the iconic Croke Park in Dublin, Ireland.
Taylor, a two weight undisputed champion, has transcended the women’s game since her professional debut in 2016. There were barely women’s fights on televised cards in Britain and Ireland before Taylor came along and brought a spotlight onto the sport that has allowed women’s boxing to grow. Her career has taken her around the world fighting in Wembley Stadium, Madison Square Garden, and now she will compete in her 27th and final contest back home in Ireland at the national stadium.
It has been a dream of Taylor’s since she turned professional but one that felt out of reach due to economical issues surrounding booking the venue. Now, however, there has been a breakthrough, and boxing will return to Croke Park on September 5 for the first time since Muhammad Ali fought Alvin “Blue” Lewis in 1972.
“We did it. Boxing is back at Croke Park,” said Taylor, 25-1 (6 KOs). “This was on my career bucket list, but this is beyond my wildest dreams. So we’re actually here. We’ve got it all over the line. Here we are. And this is going to be the most iconic moment of my whole career. I have a chance to fight in Croke Park, our most iconic venue. It’s a cathedral of Irish sport, really. And I also have a chance to become a three-time undisputed champion. How amazing is that? This is just the perfect way to end my career.”
Taylor will defend her WBA, WBO and IBF junior welterweight titles as well as compete for the vacant WBC title against France’s Flora Pili, 12-0 (2 KOs).
“I also wanted to be in a real fight with a real risk that gives you the drive no longer to go again,” Taylor said. “And I have that in Flora. This is a real fight. It’s a very dangerous fight and I have to be at my very, very best.”
Her opponent seemed in awe that she had been chosen for such an event and historic moment.
“This is a huge opportunity. This is a dream come true to fight Katie Taylor,” Pili said. “I’ve followed Katie Taylor’s career, she is a legend of the sport. I want to come here and make a name for myself.”
The Croke Park dream that Taylor desired for her final outing was an economic challenge that plagued Taylor’s promoter Eddie Hearn for years. Hearn admitted that there were major stumbling boxes to get past, but he was inspired by the Irish great to deliver her the perfect swansong.
“Every time it got tough, every time the doors would be closed, every time the barriers would come up, we thought about Katie Taylor,” said Hearn. “What would she do? Well, she would never be denied. When the IOC told everybody women’s boxing just wouldn’t be in the Olympics, how easy to walk away at that moment, but no, she banged the door down. She refused to take no as an answer.
“And what we’ve seen over the last 10 years is just one of the most incredible journeys. And I can sit up here and I can tell you about all the great things and all the records that this will break. Yes, it will be the biggest ever moment in the history of female boxing. Yes, it will be the biggest crowd in the history of female boxing. Yes, it will be the biggest crowd in the history of female sport for an individual athlete. But it will also be one of the greatest sporting moments this country has ever seen. But more important than that, it’ll be her moment.”
