Katie Taylor Beats Flora Pili and Retires as Undisputed Champion

Katie Taylor ended her boxing career with a unanimous-decision victory over Flora Pili at Croke Park in Dublin, becoming an undisputed world champion for the third time. The Guardian and Sky Sports reported that Taylor controlled the 10-round contest in front of approximately 80,000 spectators on Saturday, September 5.

Watch the highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFXAXar61RU

The judges scored the bout 100-90, 100-90 and 98-91 for Taylor. The 40-year-old added the vacant WBC super-lightweight title to the WBA, WBO and IBF belts she already held, completing the undisputed championship in the division. Pili entered the fight unbeaten but could not prevent Taylor from closing her professional career with another title victory.

Taylor established control with her footwork, speed and sustained pressure. Sky Sports reported that Pili had some success with her jab during the middle rounds, but Taylor continued to dictate the exchanges and finished strongly. In the 10th round, the Irish champion pressed forward and traded punches near the ropes as the crowd rose for the final minutes of her career.

The result gave Taylor a third undisputed reign across two weight divisions. She had previously become undisputed lightweight champion before unifying the super-lightweight division. Her only professional defeat came against Chantelle Cameron in May 2023, a result Taylor later reversed in their rematch.

After the decision was announced, Taylor placed her gloves in the center of the ring alongside her championship belts to mark her retirement. The bout was staged as her planned farewell and fulfilled her long-held aim of headlining at Croke Park, Ireland's largest sporting venue. It was the stadium's first boxing event since Muhammad Ali faced Al Lewis there in 1972, according to Sky Sports.

Taylor leaves professional boxing with a 26-1 record. Her career also included an Olympic lightweight gold medal for Ireland at the 2012 London Games and world championships in two professional divisions. Saturday's victory ensured that her final appearance ended with all four major super-lightweight belts in her possession.