Katie Taylor is to get the Croke Park farewell fight that she both craved and ultimately deserves.
The Bray native seeks to cement her legacy when she puts her WBA, IBF and Ring Magazine titles on the line, as she fights France's undefeated Flora Pili for the vacant WBC Super Lightweight Championship, at Croke Park on Saturday, September 5.
Speaking about the fight, Katie Taylor was thankful to all those who made her dream possible.
"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. 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", she said.
She continued: “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.
Katie Taylor (left) and Eddie Hearn Chairman of Matchroom Sport during a press conference ahead of the Katie Taylor v Flora Pili fight at Croke Park on June 5th, 2026 in Dublin, Ireland. (Bran Holloway/Matchroom Boxing)
“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".
The fight was confirmed by Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing, in association with Aiken Promotions, Brian Peters and Title Event Partner, Lidl Ireland.
A general view of a press conference ahead of the Katie Taylor v Flora Pili fight at Croke Park on June 5th, 2026 in Dublin, Ireland. (Bran Holloway/Matchroom Boxing)
Tickets will go on general sale via Ticketmaster next week on Friday, June 12, priced from €38.70.
This will mark the first professional boxing event to take place at Croke Park, since Muhammad Ali's clash with Detroit heavyweight, Alvin 'Blue' Lewis in 1972.
One person who helped to make it happen was of course promoter, Eddie Hearn, who said this fight will undoubtedly end up in sporting folklore.
"This is an incredibly proud moment for Matchroom,” said Hearn.
Katie Taylor (left) and Eddie Hearn Chairman of Matchroom Sport during a press conference ahead of the Katie Taylor v Flora Pili fight at Croke Park on June 5th, 2026 in Dublin, Ireland. (Bran Holloway/Matchroom Boxing)
“For everything Katie Taylor has accomplished, and for all those she has inspired along the way, it is absolutely beyond deserved. From turning over as a professional a decade ago, to fighting in the most iconic stadiums around the world and making history at Madison Square Garden, she’s done it all. What a magical adventure it has been. Getting here to Croke Park has been years in the making. But we were never giving up on delivering this dream".
“And to end this special journey together by becoming a three-time Undisputed Champion of the World is indeed the perfect farewell to what has been an extraordinary fairytale. The noise when Katie Taylor walks out in front of Croke Park on September 5 – live on the Global Home of Boxing, DAZN – will reverberate around the world. She is the ultimate trailblazer for this amazing sport. She is a living legend".
Elsewhere, Brian Peters, Taylor's long time manager added: "This is a fitting, final chapter to what has been one of sport's great fairytales. From dreaming about winning Olympic Gold medals in a sport that didn't even exist to completely transforming her sport. Katie has broken global audience records and featured in some of the most iconic venues in fights that will be forever remembered. She's reigned as a World Champion for 20 years and it's been the most remarkable journey.
“She has seen and done it all but winning back her Undisputed title at Croke Park will truly top everything that has come before. I've no doubt Flora Pili will be prepared for the fight of her life but she will need to be because in front of a packed Croke Park, Katie will stop at nothing to make sure she becomes Undisputed Champion again".
Flora Pili during a press conference ahead of the Katie Taylor v Flora Pili fight at Croke Park on June 5th, 2026 in Dublin, Ireland. (Bran Holloway/Matchroom Boxing)
The fighter left standing between Taylor and immortality is French fighter, Flora Pili, who had nothing but the utmost respect for her opponent.
“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", she stated.
The fight will also be made available to watch on DAZN, the Global Home of Boxing.
Details regarding the undercard for this fight will be announced in due course.
