Taylor crowns career in stylish Croke Park triumph

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Taylor crowns career in stylish Croke Park triumph

BBC Sport · 2 hours ago

Katie Taylor brought her professional boxing career to a close with a unanimous points victory over unbeaten Frenchwoman Flora Pili at Croke Park in Dublin, adding the vacant WBC light-welterweight title to her existing WBA, WBO and IBF belts to leave as an undisputed three-time world champion. The occasion drew around 80,000 spectators to celebrate one of Ireland's most decorated sporting figures, with promoter Eddie Hearn describing her as "Ireland's greatest sportsperson" as she bowed out of the sport she helped transform for women.

The 40-year-old Taylor won by scores of 100-90, 100-90 and 98-91, dominating the 29-year-old Pili, who had arrived unbeaten in 12 fights, with superior footwork, speed and pressure. She ends her career with 26 wins from 27 professional fights, having also earlier been an Olympic and two-weight world champion. The event was one of the largest post-war boxing crowds worldwide, with roughly 80% of attendees new to boxing events, and featured performances from Westlife alongside an emotional send-off including the Irish anthem "Grace" and fireworks.

  • Katie Taylor won her final pro fight, beating Flora Pili on points
  • She retired as undisputed three-time world champion, 26-1 record
  • 80,000 fans packed Croke Park for an emotional farewell event

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