Flora Pili reflects on Katie Taylor fight at Croke Park with classy message

Flora Pili has described her histroic Croke Park fight with Katie Taylor as an 'extraordinary experience' and one that will stay with her forever.

The French fighter suffered the first defeat of her professional career in her 13th bout against Taylor in front of 83,000 people in Dublin on Saturday night.

The victory saw Taylor become a three-time undisputed world champion and leave Croke Park as the holder of the WBC, WBO, WBA, IBF, IBO and Ring Magazine belts. The Bray Bomber won the ten-round contest by unanimous decision, with all three judges scoring the bout in her favour: 100-90, 100-90 and 98-91.

Reflecting on the experience of fighing at GAA Headquarters, Pili wrote: "JUST… THANK YOU. A huge thank you for all the support I’ve received from across France, and especially from the Moselle region.

"I read every single one of your messages and words of encouragement, even though I unfortunately couldn’t reply to everyone.

"This journey was unique, magnificent, and so powerful that I still don’t have the words to describe everything I experienced. It was an extraordinary experience—one that will stay with me forever.

"Thank you to my entire team for standing by my side and supporting me throughout this adventure, and a huge thank you as well to my promoter, @opisince82, for making this incredible journey possible.

"And above all, thank you to my family—who are always there, believe in me, and follow me to the ends of the earth.

"I am proud of the path I’ve traveled, proud to have represented France and the Moselle, and—most of all—grateful to each and every one of you. Thank you for everything. A new chapter begins…"

The post comes after Taylor paid tribute to Pili following Saturday's incredible event.

"She was actually a very awkward opponent, a great opponent Flora Pili. Thank you so much to her for being involved in this epic night," Taylor told DAZN.

The 40-year-old added that she ends her career with no regrets and looks forward to having the freedom to do whatever she wants now.

“I certainly have no regrets and when I look back on my whole career, that’s an amazing thing to be able to say,” she said.

“Now I’m going to relax with the family, have a nice celebration and look back at my time in the ring.

“It’s been an amazing career and last night was a dream ending to a dream career. What a way to end!

“I’m retired now, so I can eat all I want! Just be a bit more spontaneous and go away on vacation whenever I want to. I’m looking forward to putting my feet up and relaxing for a while.

“My whole life has been more of a training camp, so it’s been training camp after training camp after training camp.

“I’m actually going to have the freedom to do whatever I want and just enjoy the fruits of the labour, really. I can’t wait for that.”