Katie Taylor wins final career fight to become three-time undisputed champion

On July 19, 1972, Muhammad Ali fought Al “Blue” Lewis at Croke Park. On September 5, 2026, the "Cathedral of Irish sport" hosted professional boxing for the first time since that event. Katie Taylor retired from the sport on Saturday night, defeating France's Flora Pili before a crowd of 83,000 fans in Dublin.

The 40-year-old Taylor secured a unanimous decision victory over the previously unbeaten Pili, capturing the vacant WBC super-lightweight belt to complement her WBO, WBA, and IBF titles. In doing so, Taylor became a three-time undisputed world champion, concluding a professional career that ended with a record of 26-1.

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Technical Breakdown: Hand Speed vs. Counter-Shotting

Despite Taylor's admission that Pili was a very awkward opponent, Sky Sports described the performance as a clinic. The disparity in the fight was defined by Taylor's superior ring IQ, elite footwork, and blistering hand speed, which allowed her to unload slick combinations throughout the 10 rounds.

Pili, 29, attempted to use a counter-shot approach but struggled to find success against Taylor's volume and movement. The bout culminated in a final onslaught where Taylor pushed the Frenchwoman to the ropes with a flurry of punches in the dying seconds of the final round.

Judge's Scorecard	Result
Judge 1	100-90
Judge 2	100-90
Judge 3	98-91

From London 2012 to the 'Cathedral of Irish Sport'

The victory at Croke Park served as the final chapter of a trajectory that began when Taylor first started boxing as a nine or 10-year-old. Her amateur career was defined by a record of 176-12-1, peaking with a lightweight gold medal at the London 2012 Olympics after defeating Russia's Sofya Ochigava. This ascent was not without setback; Taylor cited the heartbreak of Rio in 2016, where she lost in the quarter-finals, as a period where the support of the Irish public was essential.

Upon turning professional in 2016, Taylor reached the WBA lightweight world championship in her seventh fight. She later became the undisputed lightweight champion in June 2019 by defeating Delfine Persoon at Madison Square Garden. Taylor also headlined the first-ever women's boxing fight at Madison Square Garden as part of a trilogy against Amanda Serrano, winning all three encounters.

The only blemish on her professional record occurred in May 2023, when she stepped up to the super-lightweight division and lost a majority decision to Chantelle Cameron. Taylor eventually won the rematch six months later via majority decision to become a two-weight undisputed champion.

Managing the Emotional Weight of Retirement

The scale of the event was matched by its spectacle. According to Goss, the evening featured performances by Westlife, who sang "World Of Our Own" and "You Raise Me Up," and was attended by figures such as Tony Bellew, Michael Flatley, and Tommy Bowe.

For Taylor, the challenge was balancing this celebratory atmosphere with the requirements of a professional bout. She described the week leading up to the fight as very emotional, but told Classic Hits that she was able to put those feelings aside to stay focused on the job. She noted that the energy from the crowd during her ring walk — which featured "All Hail King Jesus" by Bethel Music and Bethany Wohrle — provided her with additional energy in the ring.

Taylor viewed the event not just as a personal milestone, but as a catalyst for the future of the sport in Ireland. In a message shared on June 5, the day the match was announced, she stated her hope that the event would inspire a whole new generation to take up sport and follow their passions, calling such an impact the greatest legacy she could leave.

Following the final hand-raise and family embraces, Taylor adhered to boxing tradition by placing her gloves in the center of the ring. This gesture, followed by her team laying six championship belts beside her, marked the definitive end of her competitive era.

Titles and Trophies: The Final Count

The victory over Pili allowed Taylor to unify the super-lightweight division, adding the WBC title to her existing collection. According to Goss.ie, she successfully defended her WBO, WBA, IBF, and Ring Magazine titles during the bout.

This final tally reflects a professional journey that Sky Sports describes as a trailblazing effort, asserting her position as perhaps the greatest sportsperson in Irish history. Her dominance was highlighted by the final result at Croke Park, where the judges awarded her a decisive unanimous decision victory.

The Final Ring Walk

The event's scale was mirrored by the intensity of the ceremony. Taylor told Classic Hits that she had dreamed of the day for years. Following the final bell and an embrace with Pili, Taylor looked out at the crowd of 83,000, a figure she noted was likely unique to Ireland for women's boxing, before completing the traditional rite of placing her gloves in the center of the ring.

The night ended with a barrage of fireworks and a lap of honor. As Taylor exited the competitive stage, her team laid six championship belts beside her, signifying the conclusion of her tenure in the ring. While the professional fighting concludes, Taylor indicated that the next step is the hope that this event inspires a new generation of athletes to follow their passions.