Confirmed: Katie Taylor Croke Park fight set for September
HOMECOMING: Katie Taylor at Croke Park on Friday.
The sendoff will be fitting. It was confirmed on Friday that Katie Taylor will finally realise her dream of a Croke Park fight on September 5.
At a press conference in the Jones' Road venue, Matchroom Boxing, Taylor’s management team and GAA officials gathered to confirm that the long-held ambition will become a reality in what is expected to be her farewell fight. It will be streamed live on DAZN.
It will be the first time Croke Park has hosted a boxing event since Muhammad Ali's victory over Al ‘Blue’ Lewis in 1972. International media gathered for the announcement, where Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed the 39-year-old will headline the landmark event.
The undercard will include several Irish prospects, including heavyweight Thomas Carty, who fought on both Taylor cards at the 3Arena in 2023.
Undisputed super lightweight champion Taylor will face unbeaten French fighter Flora Vested Pili. The 28-year-old is the mandatory challenger for Taylor’s IBF light-welterweight title and the top-ranked contender for the recently vacated WBC belt.
The Bray boxer is set to retire after the bout. It will bring to an end a career that saw her win Olympic gold and five World Championship gold medals as an amateur before becoming an undisputed two-weight champion as a professional. She last fought in July, when she emerged victorious from her trilogy fight with Amanda Serrano at Madison Square Garden.
"This seems like the perfect way to end it - by becoming Undisputed Champion again in our national stadium which has such a special place in Irish hearts," Taylor said. "I'm so grateful that it's happening and I can't thank the people of this country enough for the support I have received over the years.
“People have travelled all around the world to follow my career and I'm hoping I can repay some of that with a big performance on September 5. I'm under no illusions that Flora will present a very tough challenge, she's undefeated as a professional and has a good amateur pedigree so I have the utmost respect for her.
“I've been blessed to achieve more than I could ever have dreamed in this sport but fighting at Croke Park really is the icing on the cake. I hope it's the kind of event that will inspire a whole new generation to take up sport and follow their passions - that for me would be the greatest legacy I could leave."
Tickets will officially be released on sale next week via Ticketmaster, Friday June 12, priced from €38.70, with Family ticket packages (seated in a non-alcohol area in the stadium) priced at €125.50.
Pili said: “Katie Taylor is one of the greatest champions in the history of women’s boxing, and I have tremendous respect for everything she has achieved. Facing a legend like her represents the biggest opportunity of my career. On September 5, I will step into the ring fully prepared and ready to embrace this challenge in my quest to become the undisputed world champion.”
Pre-sale for Matchroom Boxing Fight Pass members opens at 9am on Wednesday, June 10. Lidl customers with the Lidl Plus App will be able to avail of Pre-Sale exclusively from 10am via the Lidl Plus App, with Croke Park residents able to purchase from 10am also. General sale goes live at 9am on Friday, June 12. Cusack/Davin and Hogan stand prices start at €38.70 – with tickets for a family of four (in a non-alcohol area of the stadium) at €125.50. Pitchside prices range from €106.25 to €1,505.50. All tickets via Ticketmaster are subject to a max service charge of €10.50.
A fight at the GAA headquarters was first mooted in 2022 after her first victory over Serrano. Eventually, her homecoming took place at the 3Arena after the stadium authorities and Taylor's promotional company were unable to come to an agreement.
After a career defined by overcoming obstacles, she has done it again.
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