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Taylor v Pili – all you need to know
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After almost a decade as a professional boxer, Katie Taylor will call time on her career after her 27th and final bout on Saturday.
The Irish superstar, 40, will aim to become a three-time undisputed world champion against Frenchwoman Flora Pili in Dublin.
Taylor, who has won 25 professional fights and avenged her only defeat against Chantelle Cameron, will defend her light-welterweight WBO, WBA and IBF titles against Pili, who boasts an unbeaten 12-0 record.
With the vacant WBC title on the line, the Bray fighter has finally got her dream bout at Croke Park as 80,000 fans are expected to pack out the stadium.
Will Taylor claim a fairytale farewell on home soil? Or will 29-year-old Pili spoil the party and pull off a huge upset?
Here is all you need to know about Taylor v Pili.
How to follow Taylor v Pili on the BBC
Live text commentary will begin at 20:00 BST on the BBC Sport website and app.
You can also follow the action through fight week on BBC Sport via the 5 Live Boxing podcast.
What time are the ringwalks?
Taylor and Pili are scheduled to make their ringwalks at about 22:10.
All timings are estimated and subject to change.
Taylor v Pili undercard & running order
Katie Taylor v Flora Pili – WBA, WBO, WBC & IBF light-welterweight world titles
Paddy Donovan v Tyrone McKenna – welterweight
Taylor Bevan v Emmet Brennan – super-middleweight
Joe McGrail v Matthew Boreland – super-bantamweight
Dave Allen v Thomas Cartey – heavyweight
Molly McCann v Sylwia Doligala – bantamweight
How do Taylor and Pili’s records compare?
Following a decorated amateur career, which included winning gold at the 2012 Olympics, Taylor quickly established herself as a dominant force once turning professional in 2016.
Taylor claimed three stoppage wins in her first five professional bouts and landed her first world title in her seventh contest, claiming the vacant WBA lightweight belt, with a unanimous decision victory over Anahi Ester Sanchez in Cardiff.
The rest of Taylor’s career has played out at the very highest level, competing across 20 successive world title bouts and winning 19 of them.
Defeat by Cameron, which Taylor avenged in their rematch, remains the only loss on her 26-fight record. Taylor has six victories via knockout.
Pili, 11 years younger than Taylor, has won all 12 of her fights as a professional – winning two by knockout.
Just two of her fights have taken place outside her native France, earning victories in Italy and Luxembourg.
A deserved Croke Park send-off for Irish star
There could hardly be a more fitting setting for Taylor’s final fight. She has wanted to headline at Croke Park for years – and it promises to be a celebration of one of Ireland’s greatest sporting figures.
Reports suggest many in attendance will be experiencing a live boxing event for the first time, underlining the extent of Taylor’s influence beyond the sport.
When Taylor was growing up, females were not permitted to box in Ireland. She went on to become a trailblazer for the sport, winning Olympic gold at London 2012 and inspiring a generation of female fighters.
Her professional career has been equally remarkable. She has consistently broken new ground on the biggest stages.
Her trilogy with Amanda Serrano produced three landmark encounters, beginning with their first meeting at a sold-out Madison Square Garden in 2022. Their subsequent rematches were broadcast globally on Netflix, expanding the reach of women’s boxing even further.
Taylor is already a two-weight undisputed world champion and aims to secure undisputed status for a third time in her farewell bout.
Mandatory challenger Pili has earned her opportunity and cannot be overlooked, but Taylor remains the consummate professional and will be determined to conclude her career on a high.
Taylor v Pili fight-week schedule
Tuesday – Taylor v Pili news conference from 16:00
Wednesday – open workouts from 18:00
Thursday – undercard news conference from 13:00
Friday – weigh-in from 18:00
Saturday – ringwalks expected at 22:10
(all times are approximate and in BST)
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