Sport
Interview
Katie Taylor confirms farewell fight at Croke Park
Ahead of her final bout, we caught up with the Irish sporting legend to hear what it means to her to headline what she calls the “cathedral of Irish sport"
Taylor v Pili
The Bray bomber has become accustomed to breaking barriers, shattering records, and headlining huge cards across the globe, but there is nothing quite like doing it on home soil. On Saturday 5 September 2026, Katie Taylor will step into the hallowed grounds of Croke Park and lace up those gloves one final time.
Across the ring will stand Flora Pili, an undefeated French fighter with every intention of raining on Taylor’s parade. The County Wicklow native will be determined to bow out with a victory in her swansong fight, but there is even more at stake than a fairytale farewell. With the vacant WBC super lightweight title on the line, a win would see Taylor regain her undisputed status.
The Dream Becomes a Reality
With her collection of world title belts in tow, we followed the legendary fighter up the steps to Croke Park’s iconic skyline, bobbing and weaving past children on a school tour whose attention quickly shifted from their guide to one of Ireland’s greatest-ever sportspeople. Whispers of “Is that really Katie Taylor?” rippled along the steps as she attempted to put into words just how special this moment was to her.
TM: You’ve fought in some of the world’s most iconic venues, Madison Square Garden, Wembley, and AT&T Stadium in Dallas. Where does Croke Park rank among them?
KT: This is, without a shadow of a doubt, the best moment of my career, to actually headline here at Croke Park, our most iconic venue. This is, I think, the cathedral of Irish sport, and I can’t believe we actually got it over the line. I can’t believe I’m actually here. It has become a reality, and so I cannot wait to step in here. It’s going to be the most amazing moment of my career.
TM: Muhammad Ali was the last boxer to fight at Croke Park, 54 years ago, when he faced Alvin Lewis. How does it feel to follow in his footsteps and bring the sport back to this historic stadium?
KT: To be following in the footsteps of the greatest of all time, Muhammad Ali, is something very, very special. I just have to thank my team on getting this over the line as well. Brian, Eddie, Tomás, they’ve been absolutely tenacious in getting this over the line over these last few months. This was really an impossible dream a few months ago, and here we are headlining after the greatest, Muhammad Ali. This is very, very special.
I can’t believe I’m actually here. It has become a reality
TM: When the final bell rings on your career, what do you think you’ll be most proud of?
KT: I think I’ll be most proud of just, I guess, inspiring the next generation of female fighters. When I started boxing as a 10 or 11-year-old, female boxing wasn’t even a thing here in Ireland, and now we have one of the most amazing female teams in the world, lots of Olympic hopefuls, every boxing gym you walk into is packed with female fighters, I think that’s what I’ll be the most proud of, and yeah, what an amazing career it’s been.
And on September 5, I’ll be walking into the ring one last time. It’s gonna be very emotional for me, it’s gonna be amazing, but I’m gonna have to hold back some of those tears, but I’m gonna be looking back and saying, well, well, what an amazing career.
Matchroom chief, Eddie Hearn, had this to say when we asked him about the momentous occasion.
“The most iconic night, I believe, in the history of sport in this country.”
With Katie Taylor set to light up Croke Park in front of a packed crowd, Hearn believes the occasion will live long in the memory. “The biggest crowd in the history of female boxing, the biggest crowd ever for an individual female athlete”. He continued, “This is going to be a moment where the entire country stops and remembers: where were you when…?”
Katie Taylor bids farewell to boxing as she faces Flora Pili at Croke Park on Saturday 5 September 2026. Tickets go on general sale on Friday 12 June at 9am. Find tickets HERE.
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