Irish boxing legend Katie Taylor officially closed the book on her in-ring career after defeating Flora Pili in a dominant performance at Dublin’s Croke Park. Following the bout, Taylor laid down her gloves in the centre of the ring, securing her status as a three-time undisputed world champion.
A Historic Farewell in Front of 80,000 Fans at Croke Park
I think everybody was surprised how quickly they sold out. I don’t think anybody expected that. We were all expecting you needed a big undercard to sell it out and I think everybody was shocked, in all fairness.
Pete Taylor, father and former boxing coach
Family Roots and the Journey From Bray to Global Stardom
Born on July 2, 1986, in Bray, Co Wicklow, to her Irish mum, Bridget, and English-born dad, Pete, the sportswoman is the youngest of four children with an older sister named Sarah, and two older brothers named Lee and Peter. A love of sport ran in her veins, and as well as boxing, Katie played soccer, Gaelic football, and camogie, while also being a member of Bray Runners, a local athletics club. Pete became her full-time boxing coach, though he’s an electrician by trade, and Bridget also developed a grá for the sport and became one of the earliest female referees and judges in Ireland.
Katie fell out with her dad when he split from her mum. Today, the 40-year-old is relishing the chance of a slower pace, while her supportive family frequently attend her historic bouts and speak publicly about their pride, with the family rallying around Katie as she enters the next chapter of her life.
Stepping Away From the Spotlight and Into Family Life
Despite her global fame, Taylor has spoken of the ‘blessing’ of being a stepmother of five as she looks forward to enjoying family life following her retirement from boxing. Pete Taylor encouraged daughter Katie to kick back and enjoy a normal life after a career spent being punched in the face, noting that her husband Sean is great and that she can get out of the limelight, live a normal life, and not wake up every day to get punched in the face.
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Reflecting on her career afterwards to RTE, Taylor admitted the spotlight was never something she sought, even as she became one of the most celebrated figures in Irish sport.
Photo: Irishtimes
I actually don’t like controversy, I don’t like the limelight. I don’t like being the centre of attention. It’s funny that I’m actually in this position. And boxing is such a dark world at times. I’m probably the person least likely to be involved in this sport but here I am. I certainly don’t like all the trash-talk and all the stuff that comes with it.
Katie Taylor, professional boxer
She added that she has never had to trash-talk or talk crap about anybody to actually succeed in this sport, noting, I just let my excellence do my talking. I always let my boxing do the talking throughout my whole amateur career.
What Comes Next After a Lifetime in Training Camps
Having spent her career dedicated to the sport, Taylor’s immediate post-retirement plans are uncomplicated. During her post-press conference, she captured the mood of her departure with characteristic simplicity after leaving her gloves in the ring last night.
I’m going to relax with the family and have a nice celebration and look back on the last 28 years in the ring. I’m retired now, so I can eat all I want. I can do whatever I want, really. But I’m just going to enjoy tomorrow [today]. Just enjoy a nice celebration.
Katie Taylor Reflects on Legendary Career Ahead of Croke Park Retirement, Post-Retirement Plans
Katie Taylor, three-time undisputed champion
Reflecting on the milestone, she noted it was just a dream and a dream career for her, stating that she does not think there’s another country in the world that will sell 80,000 tickets for a female athlete and is convinced that Ireland is the only country that would actually do that. She started off her career with becoming an Olympic champion, and what she achieved with these last 10 years have been beyond her wildest dreams, describing it as a remarkable 10 years as she looks toward the future after her Croke Park farewell.
