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 100-90, 100-90 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 ceremonially 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. (BBC)
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