Katie Taylor Ready To Do What She Was ‘Born For’

With her Saturday night showdown against Flora Pili (12-0, 2 KOs), Katie Taylor (25-1, 6 KOs) will bid adieu to a professional boxing career that lasted almost 10 days. And as she prepares for her final fight, Taylor has one thing to say: she is not taking it lightly at all.

Talking right after their weigh-ins, Taylor admitted that she is looking for an explosive and memorable conclusion to her professional career.

“My mind is focused on the fight. I have a job to do against a very tough challenger,” she said. “I have built my reputation on always taking the tough fights, so why treat my last fight any differently? This is what I was born for, this is what I was made for. Let’s go one more time.”

Taylor’s career has been building toward this farewell almost like a story written in chapters. From the young amateur who helped break down the barriers surrounding women’s boxing, to Olympic champion, to one of the sport’s defining figures, she has spent a decade transforming what was possible for female fighters. Her professional career brought her titles across two divisions, the landmark 2022 Madison Square Garden clash with Amanda Serrano, and even the adversity of her first professional defeat to Chantelle Cameron, before she avenged it.

By the time she completed the Serrano trilogy in New York, she had reached a point where she had essentially retired in her mind, until the possibility of fighting at Croke Park gave her one final mountain to climb.

And that is what makes Croke Park so much more than a venue for Taylor; it is the perfect closing scene.

“I am so excited. I have been dreaming about this for the last few years and I am one day away from ending my career in a dream venue in front of all these amazing people,” she added.

“Earned Her Retirement”

Meanwhile, Taylor has always earned the respect of her opponents. In fact, her former opponent, Natasha Jonas, believes that her retirement is well earned.

“She pushed all of us to be sharper, to train harder, and to raise our game mostly because we had to, if we wanted to be competitive,” she said. “She has been the ultimate ambassador for boxing and given everything to this game. She has left her blood, sweat, tears, and soul in the ring. She has earned her retirement more than most.”

Joshua Ben Joseph

Joshua Ben Joseph is a Boxing writer renowned for his unparalleled coverage of live events and insightful interviews with prominent athletes in the world of combat sports. With a career spanning over several years, he has authored more than 800 articles. As an experienced editorial cartoonist and investigative journalist, Joshua has a keen eye for detail and a passion for delivering quality content. Aside from his writing, Joshua is an avid powerlifter and solo traveler, embodying the same spirit of determination and exploration that he brings to his work. With a deep love for the sport of boxing that dates back to childhood, he is committed to delivering the highest quality content and helping to build a more transparent and credible industry.

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