Sportsamo.com proudly presents the final chapter of an unparalleled boxing odyssey as Irish icon Katie Taylor cemented her legendary status with a commanding unanimous decision victory over France’s IBO champion Flora Pili. The historic "Once Upon a Time" card, held at a thunderous, sold-out Croke Park in Dublin, saw an electrifying crowd of over 80,000 witness Taylor’s farewell performance, a spectacle meticulously orchestrated by Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing and Brian Peters Promotions, broadcast live on DAZN.
Taylor, now holding an impeccable record of 26 wins with one loss and 6 knockouts, not only defended her IBF and WBO light welterweight titles but also added the vacant WBC belt to her illustrious collection. Her opponent, Flora Pili, a formidable French fighter with a record of 12 wins and one loss, including 2 knockouts, proved to be a game challenger but ultimately fell short against the sheer brilliance and experience of the undisputed queen.
From the opening bell, it was evident that Taylor, a two-time undisputed champion, was in complete control. Her signature jab, coupled with her lightning-fast hand speed and masterful footwork, dictated the pace of the fight. While Pili demonstrated resilience and showed flashes of competitiveness, particularly in the third round, Taylor consistently landed the cleaner, more impactful shots. Her ring generalship, honed over years of elite competition, allowed her to navigate the bout with precision and authority.
The middle rounds saw an increase in the intensity of exchanges, with Taylor consistently getting the better of the pivotal moments. Pili, in a strategic shift, transitioned to a southpaw stance in the ninth round and maintained it through the final stanza. However, Taylor, ever the adaptable strategist, seamlessly adjusted her approach, finishing the fight with the same strong, commanding presence that has defined her career. The judges’ scorecards – 100-90, 100-90, and 98-91 – unequivocally reflected Taylor’s dominance, with David Irving presiding as the evening’s referee.
The undercard itself was a showcase of emerging talent and compelling matchups. In a thrilling welterweight encounter, Paddy "The Real Deal" Donovan (16-2, 12 KOs) delivered a powerful performance, stopping Tyrone "The Mighty Celt" McKenna (25-7-1, 8 KOs) at 2:33 of the fourth round. A devastating body shot in the second round sent McKenna to the canvas for an eight-count, administered by referee Paul McCullagh. The fight was ultimately halted in the fourth when a cut over McKenna’s right eyebrow, sustained in the final minute of the round, prompted the ringside physician to intervene.
Super middleweight prospect Taylor Bevan (10-0, 9 KOs) continued his impressive knockout streak, dispatching Emmet Brennan (6-1, 1 KO) just 36 seconds into the sixth round. Bevan had established his authority early, scoring knockdowns in the third and fifth rounds, the latter coming from a powerful left to the body just before the bell. The fight was decisively ended in the sixth with two further knockdowns, leading referee Padraig O’Reachtagain to stop the contest.
In a super bantamweight clash, Joe McGrail (14-0, 7 KOs) secured a fifth-round stoppage over Matthew "Bam Bam" Boreland (7-1, 2 KOs) at 3:03. McGrail unleashed a flurry of punches in the closing seconds of the round, sending Boreland to the canvas and unable to beat referee Padraig O’Reachtagain’s count.
The heavyweight division also provided fireworks, though unfortunately not the desired outcome for all. The bout between Dave "White Rhino" Allen (27-9-2, 20 KOs) and Thomas "No Carty No Party" Carty (11-1, 9 KOs) ended in a controversial first-round no contest at 1:22. Allen’s right hand landed on the back of Carty’s head, propelling him through the ropes and out of the ring. Carty was deemed unable to continue, leading referee Emile Tiedt to wave off the fight.
Molly "Meatball" McCann (5-0, 1 KO) showcased her relentless pressure and high work rate in an eight-round bantamweight contest against Sylwia Doligala. McCann controlled the fight from the outset, earning a unanimous decision with scores of 80-72, 80-73, and 79-73, with Paul McCullagh officiating.
Middleweight action saw Paul "Ravishing" Ryan (12-2, 4 KOs) emerge victorious over Paddy "Pat-Man" Gallagher (17-7-1, 10 KOs) across six rounds. Gallagher had Ryan in significant trouble in the fifth round, nearly forcing him through the ropes. Despite Gallagher sustaining a cut over his right eyebrow in a spirited final round, Ryan had done enough to secure the judges’ favor, with referee Paul McCoy scoring the bout 58-55.
The heavyweight division also saw Adam Olaniyan (4-0, 4 KOs) continue his perfect start to his career, stopping Matej Hudak (6-3, 6 KOs) at 2:59 of the first round. A decisive right hand to the chin sent Hudak to the canvas for a count, prompting referee Emile Tiedt to halt the contest.
In a four-round super welterweight bout, Bobby Flood (4-0, 2 KOs) displayed superior control against Jack "Mad Dog" Swallow (4-14-1, 1 KO), securing a unanimous decision. Referee David Irving scored the bout 40-36 in favor of Flood.
The night’s proceedings were expertly guided by ring announcers Mikey Sheehan and David Diamante, adding to the grand atmosphere of an unforgettable evening. The Croke Park spectacle marked not just the end of an era for Katie Taylor, but a celebration of a career that has inspired millions and redefined women’s boxing on the global stage.
