Katie Taylor retires as three-time undisputed world champion after Croke Park victory

Katie Taylor ended her professional boxing career with a unanimous-decision victory over Flora Pili at Dublin’s Croke Park, securing her status as a three-time undisputed world champion.

The judges scored the 10-round bout 100-90, 100-90 and 98-91 in Taylor’s favour. The result handed Pili, who had been unbeaten, the first defeat of her professional career.

Taylor controlled the fight throughout, consistently beating Pili to the punch before launching a late attack in the final seconds. She then embraced her opponent after the final bell.

About 80,000 people attended the farewell event, which Sky Sports described as the first boxing card at Croke Park since Muhammad Ali fought Al “Blue” Lewis there in 1972.

Taylor said the occasion surpassed previous career milestones including her Olympic gold medal at London 2012, her appearance at Madison Square Garden and her fights with Amanda Serrano. She said retiring on her own terms and as an undisputed champion was exactly how she wanted to finish.

The victory concluded three decades in amateur and professional boxing for Taylor, whose Croke Park farewell was marked by a ring walk, a sustained crowd response and celebrations after the result.