Katie Taylor will fight Frenchwoman Flora Pili at Dublin’s Croke Park on Saturday in her final professional bout. The 40-year-old Irish boxer aims to become a three-time undisputed world champion in front of an anticipated 80,000 supporters before retiring from the sport.
Promoter Eddie Hearn reflected on organizing the event at Ireland’s national stadium, admitting initial hesitation regarding venue costs. He stated: “If Croke Park had originally gone, ‘Yes, this is going to be massive,’ I would have gone, ‘Wow you’re right’ and we would have done it. But I was like, ‘I don’t know’ and I was thinking blimey, if they’re not sure, do we really want to be gambling with these costs?”
Hearn emphasized that Taylor’s reputation extends beyond her Olympic gold medal at London 2012, highlighting her impact on a younger generation of supporters. “There are so many things. I think the Olympics will always be the Olympics, but there are a lot of people that don’t remember the Olympics or weren’t around in 2012. The younger generation now that are following Katie, I don’t think they’re necessarily reminiscing about the Olympics.” He added: “These are girls that are eight, 10, 12, 16. They weren’t even born when she won the Olympics. So I think what she’s done in the pro ranks will be remembered forever. Honestly, it’s just everything that she’s done across the board. We are so lucky to have had a fighter like her.”
Taylor’s professional record features victories against top competitors, including a notable rematch win over Chantelle Cameron. Reflecting on that fight, Hearn noted: “By the way, when you look back, you see Chantelle Cameron beat Mikaela Mayer last Saturday. She’s a strong, big, big, big girl. And Katie’s rematch victory over Chantelle Cameron, I think, is so underrated, especially at the stage in her career that Katie was at.”
Taylor’s final ring walk comes after a professional career that reshaped the sport.
Pili enters Saturday’s bout unbeaten with a 12-0 record. The vacant WBC title, along with Taylor’s WBO, WBA, and IBF light-welterweight belts, will be decided in Dublin. The event will be broadcast on DAZN and free-to-air on RTE, ensuring full visibility across Ireland for Taylor’s final appearance in the ring.
