Katie Taylor is preparing for a genuine contest rather than a farewell procession as she faces unbeaten Frenchwoman Flora Pili for the undisputed light-welterweight title at Croke Park on Saturday. The 40-year-old Irishwoman will make her final ring walk in front of 80,000 fans, more than 54 years after Muhammad Ali headlined the last boxing event at the Dublin venue, but insists she is treating the bout as business as usual rather than a career celebration.

Taylor, whose record stands at 25-1, faces the 29-year-old Pili, who is unbeaten in 12 fights and holds the European and IBO belts. Taylor's sole defeat came against Chantelle Cameron in Dublin in 2023, a loss she later avenged, so there is recognition the outcome is not assured. Promoter Eddie Hearn predicted an "all-out war" and called it a potential "one of the greatest moments Irish sport has ever seen", while Pili said she has "nothing to lose and everything to win" as the underdog.