Peak audience of 1.6 million watch Katie Taylor's historic fight at Croke Park

HISTORY: A peak audience of 1.6 million tuned in to watch Katie Taylor end her incredible boxing career on the biggest of highs last Saturday night. Pic: ©INPHO/James Crombie.

A peak audience of 1.6 million tuned in to watch Katie Taylor end her incredible boxing career on the biggest of highs last Saturday night.

The historic fight, which saw the Bray boxer become a three-time undisputed champion of the world, was broadcast free-to-air on RTÉ and the broadcaster has confirmed that at its peak 1.6 million viewers tuned in to watch Round 10 as Taylor defeated France’s Flora Pili.

The fight, which was attended by 83,000 at Croke Park, also had over half a million streams (552,000) on RTÉ Player while the programme had an average of 973,000 viewers representing a 74% share of the available viewing audience.

“On a historic Saturday night, Irish audiences came together in huge numbers to celebrate the extraordinary career of an Irish sporting icon,” said RTÉ Director of Video Steve Carson.

“Katie Taylor's final victory was a national moment that will be remembered for many years to come. RTÉ Sport felt it was important to be able to bring live coverage from Croke Park to viewers and listeners, free-to-air, right across the country."

The multi-platform partnership with Lidl, brokered by EssenceMediacom, included sponsorship of the fight broadcast on RTÉ2, RTÉ Player and RTÉ 2FM and build-up elements including the press conference and weigh in, outside broadcasts of Oliver Callan on RTÉ Radio 1, 2FM Drive with Laura & Katja, and Inside Sport on RTÉ Radio 1 from Lidl Bray (Friday, September 4th) and Lidl Ballybough (Saturday, September 5th), as well as digital takeovers on RTÉ.ie.

In a post on her official Instagram account Katie Taylor, who successfully defended her WBO, WBA, IBF and Ring Magazine titles and won the WBC Super Lightweight Championship said; “The last night of my boxing career may well have been my best.

"A dream ending to an amazing journey! Thank you Ireland for filling Croke Park with your song and your support. I will never forget it!”