Katie Taylor has officially retired from professional boxing, ending a storied career on her own terms after a points victory over Flora Pili at Croke Park in Dublin. The 40-year-old Irish icon secured the win with scores of 100-90, 100-90, and 98-91, successfully becoming the undisputed light-welterweight champion in her final outing. She leaves the sport with a record of 26 wins from 27 professional contests, an Olympic gold medal, and undisputed title triumphs across two weight divisions.
The farewell event, attended by over 80,000 fans and featuring a performance by Westlife, marked the realization of Taylor’s long-held ambition to conclude her career at the iconic stadium. Throughout the bout, Taylor displayed her trademark sharpness, consistently beating Pili to the punch and closing the fight with a signature flurry of combinations that reminded spectators of her peak performance years.
Prominent figures in women’s boxing were quick to honor her impact. Unified lightweight champion Caroline Dubois hailed Taylor as “one of the best to ever do it,” thanking her for “paving the way” and wishing her happiness in her future endeavors. American star Claressa Shields, who refers to herself as the Greatest Woman of All Time, congratulated Taylor and encouraged her to “ride off into the sunset,” noting that she has earned every bit of her success.
Super-featherweight champion Alycia Baumgardner echoed these sentiments, describing Taylor as a “trailblazer” who set the stage for the current generation of female fighters. She noted that it had been a privilege to witness Taylor’s journey from its inception. Former world champion Carl Frampton observed that Taylor’s connection with the Irish public is unique, noting that despite her reserved nature regarding media attention, she commands unparalleled adulation.
Reflecting on the final moments of the fight, former world champion Barry Jones highlighted the closing 20 seconds, where Taylor unleashed the rapid, aggressive combinations that defined her career. “That’s what you really remember about her,” Jones remarked during the Dazn broadcast, emphasizing that it was a fitting way to conclude her time in the ring.
Former cruiserweight world champion Tony Bellew described the evening as one of the most remarkable exits in boxing history. He expressed his belief that there is no chance of a comeback, stating, “I have never seen a fighter leave as an undisputed champion on their own terms.” While he expects Taylor to step away from active competition, he suggested she might remain involved in the sport by mentoring younger athletes, offering them guidance and support.
Mikaela Mayer, who was ringside for the event, was deeply moved by the final image of Taylor placing her gloves in the center of the ring. “I was sitting there watching her put her gloves in the centre of the ring and it’s like a story,” Mayer said. For many observers, the night served as a definitive conclusion to the career of a fighter who, as Frampton put it, is “different” and “special,” with a legacy that will likely remain unmatched in the sport. The report also notes that repeatedly beating the Frenchwoman to the punch before finishing with one final burst of combinations as the crowd rose to its feet, taylor was sharper throughout. The report also notes that but she still has this adulation from everybody,” the Northern Irishman said, you can tell that she doesn’t enjoy doing stuff in front of the media. The report also notes that i don’t think in all of my years of watching this game, I have seen an exit as beautiful, amazing and fitting,” he said. The report also notes that combinations and that’s how she finished her last fight, those rallies of big punches.
