Katie Taylor to face Flora Pili in Croke Park farewell title fight
Undisputed super lightweight champion Katie Taylor is set to face unbeaten French fighter Flora Pili in a farewell bout expected to take place at Croke Park in Dublin.
The 39-year-old Irish icon will officially announce her final fight on Friday as she aims to unify all four major division belts once again.
Ahead of the formal declaration, the WBC appears to have inadvertently confirmed the opponent by ordering a clash with the mandatory challenger.
Chance for third undisputed crown
Pili boasts a flawless 12-0 professional record and is currently the top-ranked contender for the vacant WBC title.
That specific belt became available after reigning champion Sandy Ryan announced her pregnancy and was subsequently named ‘Champion in Recess’.
The 2012 Olympic gold medallist previously held the WBC strap but vacated it in 2025 during a brief hiatus from the sport.
Regaining the title would allow the Bray native to become an undisputed champion for an unprecedented third time before retiring.
Croke Park dream edges closer
While the exact date and venue await final confirmation, immense momentum is building behind an 80,000-capacity event in the Irish capital.
Staging a bout at the historic Gaelic games stadium has long been the ultimate ambition for the two-weight undisputed champion.
Promoter Eddie Hearn admitted that negotiations for the venue are not entirely finalised but stressed the collective determination to overcome any remaining hurdles.
“This moment of watching her walking through the tunnel of Croke Park, in front of 80,000 people, would the biggest female event of all time,” Hearn said.
“The absolute pinnacle of this woman’s life, who has given every ounce of her soul to her country, to her sport, to break down barriers and to pave the way for every female fighter of her generation.”
An official press conference is scheduled for Friday where the final details of the historic showcase are expected to be revealed.