Katie Taylor celebrates Croke Park win over Flora Pili with those closest to her

02:51, 06 Sep 2026Updated 03:05, 06 Sep 2026

Katie Taylor was as humble as ever as she ended her career in the most perfect way at Croke Park on Saturday night.

The Irish sporting great defeated France's Flora Pili via unanimous decision in front of 83,000 people on a magical night for the country as a whole.

In doing so, she became a three-time undisputed world champion as she added the vacant WBC super-lightweight belt and Pili's IBO title to her WBO, WBA and IBF belts.

But after delivering one of Ireland's greatest ever sporting moments, Taylor was keen to pay tribute to those closest to her as she spoke in the ring.

"My dad was the first person who brought me to the boxing gym as a 10-year-old," she told DAZN. "He taught me how to fight, and he led me to five World Championship gold medals, six Europeans, five EUs, the European Games and an Olympic title.

"None of this would be possible without his brilliant coaching, and women's boxing in this country wouldn't be where it is without his contribution over the years.

"So thanks for everything, Dad. I love you."

Taylor also had a special message for her mother Bridget, who has been ever present at her fights, saying a prayer with the 40-year-old before each contest.

"When you think about faithfulness and being with you through thick and thin, and the ups and downs, there's nothing like an Irish mammy," she continued.

"But you're more than that. You're a source of strength, a source of wisdom, a source of guidance through all the hard times and the good times.

"You'll never know the effect of all your prayers for me over the years. None of this would be possible without your sacrifice and commitment. So you're the absolute best, Mum. Thank you so much."

She then paid tribute to her siblings, saying: "My family as a whole – my two brothers, my sister, Sarah, Peter, Lee – I love you.

"Imagine what it's like for them, watching their little sister get punched for a living.

"And imagine, this all started in a little kitchen, us punching the head off each other."

Taylor and her family stayed behind in the ring for some time after the final bell had sounded for a number of photos.

The 2012 Olympic champion also reflected on a tough year for herself and her family.

"It's been such a tough year for the family. Our sister Nicola, Lee's wife, passed away from cancer this year. She was my superfan. It's not the same without her," she stated.

"A few weeks later, our grandmother passed away as well. She was one of the greatest people we've ever met. Now she's looking down on us."

The Wicklow warrior also paid tribute to her husband Sean McCavanagh, an American real estate broker, who she married last year.

"My husband Sean, these past couple of years with you by my side have been the best couple of years of my life," she continued.

"You gave me a new joy and a happiness. I'm actually looking forward to retiring now for the first time. I can't wait for this new season.

"You're the absolute best. I love you, babe."

Taylor came into the bout as the red-hot favourite and produced one last dominant performance to bring the curtains down on her career.

All three judges had the bout hugely in her favour as Pili suffered her first pro loss in her 13th fight, with the cards reading: 100-90 100-90 98-91.

The show had been sold as a night that anyone there would never forget and Taylor admitted the event was beyond her wildest dreams.

"I'm blown away to be honest. I've dreamed of this day for years now," she said.

"It's been absolutely remarkable, the whole atmosphere here. I'm looking around the stadium and seeing 80,000 people here screaming my name.

"This is beyond my wildest dreams. I'm just so grateful - what a way to end this career. The people of Ireland have given me a dream ending to a dream career and I'm so grateful."

"It just can't get any bigger than this, I don't think. This is an absolute dream to be here. Our most iconic stadium, packed out."

Taylor walked out to ‘All Hail King Jesus’ by Bethel Music and Bethany Wohrle after Westlife finished performing as the main warm-up act, with promoter Eddie Hearn in tears during his fighter's ring walk.

"The atmosphere when I came out here just gave me so much energy. It was unbelievable, incredible," Taylor added.

"I was getting very emotional all week and it was to be expected, obviously, yeah. My last fight, the end of a 30-year career.

"I started boxing as a nine- or 10-year-old and here I am ending my career here [at Croke Park], it was a very emotional week but I got through it and I was able to stay focused on the job."

In a special moment, Taylor placed her gloves in the centre of the ring to confirm her retirement was definite.

Hearn described the event as the 'greatest occasion boxing has ever seen'.

"We went into this event and I said this will be the greatest atmosphere and greatest occasion boxing has ever seen and Croke Park, you did it tonight," he commented.

"There were 83,000 people in here tonight and they are still here. I wasn't supposed to do something we haven't done before. This is a woman who refused to take no as an answer and banged on every door. She's the greatest Irish sportsperson of all time. She made this happen. She made it happen because the entire nation supported her so proudly.

"While we still have 83,000 people, I want Katie to walk around the ring with her gloves and place them in the centre of the ring as we remember one of the greatest."