Katie Taylor has confirmed in her own words that her September 5 fight at Dublin’s Croke Park will be the last of her career, framing the homecoming as “the perfect way to end it.”
The bout offers her the chance to retire as a three-time undisputed super lightweight champion in front of more than 80,000 fans at Ireland’s national stadium.
With the event now official, Taylor will defend her WBO, WBA, IBF, and Ring Magazine super lightweight titles against undefeated French contender Flora Pili, according to Matchroom Boxing. The vacant WBC title is also on the line, giving Taylor the opportunity to become undisputed once again.
“This seems like the perfect way to end it, by becoming Undisputed Champion again in our national stadium, which has such a special place in Irish hearts,” Taylor said. “I’m so grateful that it’s happening, and I can’t thank the people of this country enough for the support I have received over the years.”
Taylor enters the bout with a 25-1 record. The event will stream live worldwide on DAZN.
A Historic Night At Croke Park
The September 5 card will mark the first professional boxing event staged at Croke Park since Muhammad Ali fought Alvin Lewis there in 1972. The venue has returned to prominence in major boxing circles, also serving as the reported site for Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua later this year.
Taylor made clear she is not overlooking Pili, who brings an unbeaten 12-0 record into the biggest fight of her career.
“I’m under no illusions that Flora will present a very tough challenge; she’s undefeated as a professional and has a good amateur pedigree, so I have the utmost respect for her,” Taylor said.
The Icing On The Cake
For Taylor, closing her career at Croke Park carries a meaning beyond titles.
“I’ve been blessed to achieve more than I could ever have dreamed in this sport, but fighting at Croke Park really is the icing on the cake,” she said. “I hope it’s the kind of event that will inspire a whole new generation to take up sport and follow their passions.”
Tickets go on sale June 12 through Ticketmaster, with pre-sale access beginning earlier in the week. The fight streams on DAZN, whose relationship with Matchroom has drawn recent attention across the broadcast landscape.
If successful, Taylor would walk away as a three-time undisputed champion. Other women’s stars have circled her name, with Alycia Baumgardner among those calling for a superfight, though Taylor has set her sights firmly on a Dublin send-off.
