Taylor bows out as undisputed champion in Dublin farewell

DUBLIN: Katie Taylor, the renowned Irish boxer, concluded her illustrious career on Saturday with a decisive point win over Flora Pili at Dublin's iconic Croke Park. The 40-year-old champion successfully defended her WBA, IBF, and WBO super-lightweight titles, as well as the vacant WBC crown, solidifying her status as the undisputed champion for the third time.

Her triumphant return to the ring was met with an electrifying response from the 80,000-strong crowd, who chanted her name throughout the match and cheered as she entered and exited the octagon. Taylor showcased her superior movement and timing early on, gradually tightening her grip on the bout while Pili fought back fiercely in the seventh round, posing the greatest challenge of the night.

Taylor weathered this storm in the eighth, regaining control and ultimately prevailing by unanimous decision. In a touching post-fight moment, Taylor embraced her exhausted mother, expressing gratitude to her family, including her father, who taught her the art of boxing. Taylor's journey began decades ago when women were barred from amateur competition in Ireland, forcing her to fight under her initials "K Taylor."

She went on to claim Olympic lightweight gold at the London 2012 Games, marking the debut of women's boxing in the Olympics, before turning professional four years later. Taylor's professional record stands at 26 wins and just one loss, having claimed world titles in both lightweight and super-lightweight divisions. Her farewell bout at Croke Park marked the first time top-level boxing returned to the hallowed grounds since Muhammad Ali's legendary 1972 victory over Al "Blue" Lewis.