Katie Taylor says her final professional fight at Croke Park will provide the perfect ending to a career that has already included Olympic gold, undisputed titles in two divisions and a historic trilogy with Amanda Serrano.
More than 80,000 fans are expected for Taylor’s September 5 farewell against unbeaten French challenger Flora Pili. Taylor will defend her WBC, WBA and IBF super lightweight titles, while the vacant WBO belt will also be on the line.
The 40-year-old revealed she had made clear after her third victory over Serrano that she would only fight again if Croke Park could finally be secured. “It’s either Croke Park or nothing for me,” Taylor said. “There was really nothing else to chase after.”
Taylor also insisted she wanted a genuine challenge for her last appearance rather than an easy farewell. “I had two conditions if I was to fight again: to fight at Croke Park and be involved in a real fight,” she said. “I didn’t just want a walkover.”
Pili represents that challenge, with Taylor aiming to finish her career as a three-time undisputed champion if she can add the WBO title to her collection.
Taylor said the final ring walk will be emotional but believes the setting is everything she had hoped for. “To end my career at Croke Park, it’s like a fairytale ending,” she said.
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