Ireland’s two-weight undisputed champion reveals her final ring walk will bring joy rather than sadness as 80,000 await her in Dublin.
Taylor offered a rare glimpse behind the fighter during Matchroom Boxing’s latest Ordinary People episode, filmed during her final training camp in Connecticut.
Away from the usual fight-week exchanges, Taylor toasted s’mores around a campfire, sang “Sweet Caroline” and reflected on a career that carried her from Olympic gold in London to undisputed championships in two professional divisions.
The conversation also returned Taylor to an early message from her mother, Bridget, who told her she was “destined for greatness.”
Now comes the last walk.
Taylor insists she will approach it with gratitude rather than sadness, despite knowing there will be no next camp waiting once the final bell sounds.
“People are asking me whether this will be a sad moment for me,” Taylor said. “But it’s not going to be sad at all. It will be a moment of joy, especially as I look back at my whole career.”
That distinction says plenty about how Taylor views the finish. She is not approaching Croke Park as a reluctant departure from boxing. She gets to finish in Dublin, in front of a capacity crowd, at the stadium she spent years wanting to fight in.
During filming, Hearn called Taylor and confirmed that the event had completely sold out.
For a fighter who helped force women’s boxing onto considerably bigger platforms, an 80,000 crowd provides a fitting final measure of how far the sport travelled during her career.
“I just have a heart full of gratitude that this career is ending on such a high-note, please God. [Croke Park] is my dream venue. And this really is the stuff of dreams.”
There remains one significant piece of business before Taylor can enjoy the farewell.
France’s Pili will attempt to spoil it.
Taylor must still dictate distance, establish her jab and solve the opponent across from her before any celebration begins. The setting and emotion surrounding the night will not win rounds for her.
Croke Park gives Taylor the ending she wanted. Pili still gets 10 rounds to try to take it away from her.
