Undisputed super-lightweight champion Katie Taylor is to end her stellar career with a fight against unbeaten French fighter Flora Pili at Croke Park in Dublin on Saturday September 5.
Taylor, 39, holds the IBF, WBA and WBO titles at 140lbs and the Irish native has got her wish to sign off on home soil in front of what is likely to be a sell-out crowd.
Pili, 28, (12-0) is the mandatory challenger for Taylor’s IBF super-lightweight title and the top-ranked contender for the now vacant WBC belt, with the WBC leaking the news earlier in the week that she would be Taylor’s final opponent.
Champion Sandy Ryan is pregnant and has been made ‘Champion in Recess’ by the WBC, which ordered Taylor to fight Pili.
Taylor was previously WBC champion but vacated the belt in 2025 to take a break from boxing.
Taylor was previously WBC champion but vacated the belt in 2025 to take a break from boxing
It means Taylor has the chance to unify all the belts in her final fight and become an undisputed champion for the third time in her career.
Taylor said: “This seems like the perfect way to end it – by becoming undisputed champion again in our national stadium which has such a special place in Irish hearts. I’m so grateful that it’s happening and I can’t thank the people of this country enough for the support I have received over the years.
“People have travelled all around the world to follow my career and I’m hoping I can repay some of that with a big performance on September 5. I’m under no illusions that Flora will present a very tough challenge, she’s undefeated as a professional and has a good amateur pedigree, so I have the utmost respect for her.
“I’ve been blessed to achieve more than I could ever have dreamed in this sport but fighting at Croke Park really is the icing on the cake. I hope it’s the kind of event that will inspire a whole new generation to take up sport and follow their passions – that for me would be the greatest legacy I could leave.”
Unbeaten French fighter Pili is ready to spoil the party, however, with the WBC mandatory challenger determined to write her own name in lights by causing a huge upset.
She said: “Katie Taylor is one of the greatest champions in the history of women’s boxing, and I have tremendous respect for everything she has achieved. Facing a legend like her represents the biggest opportunity of my career.
“On September 5, I will step into the ring fully prepared and ready to embrace this challenge in my quest to become the undisputed world champion.”
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