Katie Taylor Retires Undisputed After Croke Park Win Over Flora Pili

Katie Taylor ended her boxing career as an undisputed champion after defeating Flora Pili by unanimous decision at Croke Park in Dublin. BBC Sport reported that the 40-year-old Irish fighter outclassed her previously unbeaten French opponent before 80,000 spectators, adding the vacant WBC light-welterweight title to the WBA, WBO and IBF belts she already held.

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

The judges scored the contest 100-90, 100-90 and 98-91 for Taylor. After a measured opening round, she began landing quick combinations in the second and repeatedly used her footwork to move out of range. Her speed and pressure kept her in control through the two-minute rounds and produced a decisive final performance.

Pili entered the bout with a 12-0 professional record and experience as a European champion, but she struggled to close the gap against Taylor. BBC Sport identified the seventh round as the challenger’s strongest period, when a short flurry briefly knocked Taylor’s head back. Taylor nevertheless maintained command and pressed forward again during the final round as the crowd rose around the ring.

The event marked the return of boxing to Croke Park for the first time since 1972. Westlife performed before the main event, while Irish flags filled the stands and fireworks accompanied Taylor’s final ring walk. The BBC reported that about 80 percent of the crowd had never attended a boxing event, underscoring the scale of the occasion beyond the sport’s regular audience.

Taylor retires with 26 victories and one defeat as a professional. Her lone loss came against Chantelle Cameron in Dublin in 2023, and she reversed that result six months later to become undisputed champion in a second weight division. Her career also included Olympic gold in London in 2012 and three victories over Amanda Serrano.

After the decision was announced, Taylor thanked her family and supporters before taking a final lap of the ring. Promoter Eddie Hearn paid tribute to her, and Taylor then placed her gloves and championship belts in the center of the canvas. The ceremony completed the farewell she had long sought at Croke Park and confirmed the end of a career spanning almost a quarter of a century in amateur and professional boxing.