Katie Taylor vs Flora Pili: Ireland's boxing great crowns career in stylish Croke Park triumph
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Taylor crowns career in stylish Croke Park triumph
Image source: Getty Images
Image caption: Katie Taylor won Olympic gold in 2012
By Kal Sajad BBC Sport boxing journalist at Croke Park, Dublin
Published 5 September 2026, 22:47 BST
Updated 15 minutes ago
Katie Taylor ended her illustrious career as a three-time undisputed world champion as Croke Park gave one of Ireland's greatest sporting figures the grandest of farewells on a night of celebration, spectacle and music.
The 40-year-old outclassed unbeaten Flora Pili on points in front of 80,000 jubilant fans to add the vacant WBC belt to her WBA, WBO, and IBF light-welterweight titles.
With the footwork, speed, and sharp pressure fighting that defined her career, Taylor produced one final stylish performance against the overmatched Frenchwoman to win by scores of 110-90, 110-90, and 98-91.
Promoter Eddie Hearn paid tribute to Taylor, calling her "Ireland's greatest sportsperson" before she took one final lap of the ring, waving to the crowd before ceremoniously placing her gloves and belts in the centre of the canvas.
After almost a quarter of a century in the sport, Taylor—an Olympic champion, two-weight world champion, and one of the pioneers of women's professional boxing—finally got her fairytale ending at her dream venue.
She bows out with a record of 26 wins and just one defeat, but this was about more than one final result.
It was a night steeped in Irish pride, with a spine-tingling atmosphere and chart-topping pop group Westlife helping provide a fitting send-off.
Taylor signs off career in style with unanimous decision win against Pili - reaction