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Katie Taylor Retires as Undisputed Champion in Croke Park Farewell
Confirmed
In Short: Katie Taylor secured her final victory as a three-time undisputed world champion at Croke Park, marking the end of a 27-fight professional career.
Katie Taylor, Ireland's greatest sportsperson, retired from boxing with a unanimous points victory over Flora Pili at Croke Park, bringing her illustrious career to a close in front of 80,000 fans. Promoter Eddie Hearn paid tribute to Taylor, hailing her as a pioneer of women's professional boxing. Taylor, an Olympic champion and two-weight world champion, expressed gratitude to her supporters, saying, 'We did it. We brought boxing back to Croke Park.
The 40-year-old Taylor dominated the fight, outclassing Pili with her footwork, speed, and sharp pressure fighting. According to reports, Taylor's four-punch combinations allowed her to score without remaining in front of Pili, who was giving away rounds with her low output. Taylor controlled the exchanges, rarely allowing Pili to plant her feet long enough to throw sustained combinations. The fight ended with Taylor winning by scores of 100-90, 100-90, and 98-91.
Taylor's final performance at Croke Park was a celebration of her career, with chants of "Ole, Ole, Ole" echoing through the venue. She emerged to the music of 'All Hail King Jesus,' a nod to her faith. Taylor's victory marked the end of her 27-fight professional career, with 26 wins and one loss. Her final fight was a fairytale ending for the boxer, who had previously won Olympic gold at London 2012 and headlined Madison Square Garden.
In her farewell speech, Taylor expressed her gratitude to her fans, saying, "You were with me in London 2012, you were with me with the heartbreak of Rio. You stayed with me when I turned pro." The Belfast Telegraph reported that Taylor's victory over Pili was the most special moment of her career, surpassing even her Olympic gold medal win. The newspaper noted that Taylor's final fight was celebrated with wild celebrations, as the crowd announced her overwhelming victory over Pili.
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- But she had never faced anyone remotely close to Taylor's level and the gulf in class soon began to show.
- From the opening bell, Taylor took the center of the ring and began setting the distance with her jab.
- She waited too long for Taylor to finish punching and then found the target had already disappeared.
- That made it easier for Taylor to read what was coming and answer with combinations.
- Despite continuing to come forward, Pili was following rather than cutting off the ring.
- Wild celebrations followed the announcement she had overwhelmed the previously unbeaten Pili 100-90 100-90 98-91 on the scorecards.