Taylor's Croke Park Farewell
Katie Taylor and Flora Pili make weight for historic Croke Park farewell fight.
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Key Points
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Taylor described the occasion as the fulfillment of a long-held dream, saying she was “one day away from ending my career in my dream venue” and wanted to deliver a fight worthy of the support she has received.
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Croke Park had to be rapidly converted from a Bon Jovi concert venue into a boxing stadium, with crews dismantling the concert setup, installing boxing equipment and adding 12,000 seats to the pitch. Stadium chief Peter McKenna said the work was ahead of schedule.
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The fight will be Croke Park’s first boxing event since Muhammad Ali defeated Al “Blue” Lewis there in 1972, adding historical significance to Taylor’s farewell.
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The ceremonial weigh-in at Trinity College drew large crowds and celebrities, including Riverdance star Michael Flatley, a former Golden Gloves amateur boxing champion; Taylor appeared in a customized green bomber jacket.
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The main event is scheduled as the ninth and final bout of the card, with an expected start shortly after 10 p.m.; RTÉ will broadcast the fight on RTÉ2 and the RTÉ Player, in addition to DAZN coverage of the event.
Katie Taylor and Flora Pili both made weight for Saturday's undisputed super lightweight title fight at Dublin's Croke Park. Middle Easy reported Taylor weighed 139.6 pounds while Pili came in at 139.9 pounds. The bout is expected to draw more than 80,000 fans and marks Taylor's final professional fight, a home-country farewell after a decorated career.
The 40-year-old Irish boxing legend will defend her WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO belts against undefeated Pili, who enters with a 12-0 record. Al Jazeera noted this fight will give Taylor a chance to become undisputed champion for a third time. Taylor called the occasion the fulfillment of a long-held dream, saying she was "one day away from ending my career in my dream venue."
Historic Venue Transformed for Boxing's Return
Croke Park underwent a rapid transformation to host boxing. Boxing News 24 noted that crews dismantled the Bon Jovi concert setup, installed boxing equipment, and added 12,000 seats to the pitch. Stadium chief Peter McKenna said the work was ahead of schedule, ensuring the venue was ready in time for Saturday's event.
This marks Croke Park's first boxing event since 1972, when Muhammad Ali defeated Al "Blue" Lewis there. The 52-year gap adds historical weight to Taylor's farewell fight and underscores the significance of her career-ending bout in her home country.
Taylor's Career Comes Full Circle at Home
Taylor, a native of Bray, Ireland, has spent her professional career competing across the globe. Yahoo Sports reported she finished with 26 victories from 27 fights, establishing herself as one of boxing's greatest champions. Ending her career at Croke Park represents the culmination of a lifelong dream for the Irish boxing legend.
The ceremonial weigh-in at Trinity College drew large crowds and celebrities, including Riverdance star Michael Flatley, a former Golden Gloves amateur boxing champion. Taylor appeared in a customized green bomber jacket, showing pride in her Irish heritage as she prepared for her final bout.
Pili Brings Perfect Record Into Farewell Showdown
Flora Pili arrives undefeated with a 12-0 record, providing a tough test for Taylor's final fight. Boxing News 24 described the matchup as a close contest, with judges' scorecards showing the intensity of the battle between the two champions competing for undisputed glory.
The main event is scheduled as the ninth and final bout of the card, with an expected start shortly after 10 p.m. Al Jazeera reported RTÉ will broadcast the fight on RTÉ2 and the RTÉ Player, in addition to DAZN coverage. The undercard features major Irish and international fighters alongside musical entertainment.
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