Irish boxing superstar Katie Taylor soaked up the acclaim as she rounded off her dazzling career with a fairytale ending at Croke Park.
Saturday night saw a monster crowd of more than 80,000 cram into the famous Dublin venue – normally reserved for Gaelic football – to bid farewell to a trailblazer for women’s boxing.
The hometown hero, 40, sealed a unanimous decision over French opponent Flora Pili in an entertaining, 10-round fight in the Irish capital.
It was an emotional night for Taylor, who was competing in her 27th and final contest. Her ringwalk was preceded by a live performance from Irish pop royalty Westlife before Taylor soaked up every second of her walk-on and the build-up.
Once the bell rang she produced an accomplished and slick display, easing to the win over Pili who proved a plucky opponent to confirm her status as a three-time undisputed world champion.
“We did it. We brought boxing back to Croke Park,” she roared in the ring afterwards, almost drowned out by the jubilant crowds. You were with me in London 2012, you were with me with the heartbreak of Rio. You stayed with me when I turned pro. You stayed with me, travelled around the world with me.
“And now you are here with me and it’s amazing. I don’t know any other country that would sell 80,000 tickets for a female athlete. I’m convinced Ireland is the only country.
“It was everything I expected and more. Thankfully I was able to hold my emotions together tonight as I was getting emotional all week and the last few months’ preparation was so emotional.
“The atmosphere was so special. It was beyond my wildest dreams – what a special night.”
Following all the in-ring interviews and celebrations, there was a poignant image when Taylor laid her gloves and all of her belts down in the middle of the ring. A fitting end to a legendary career.
